While no food coloring is currently banned federally across the entire United States for all general food uses, several artificial food dyes are subject to bans in specific contexts or by individual states. Notably, some states are implementing bans on a group of artificial dyes in public school food and drinks, while federal agencies are reviewing others for potential future restrictions.
State-Level Bans in Public School Foods
Several states have taken legislative action to ban specific artificial food dyes in public school food and drinks. These bans apply to products served within school systems and are set to come into effect by 2027. The dyes targeted in these state-level restrictions are:
- Red No. 40
- Yellow No. 5
- Yellow No. 6
- Blue No. 1
- Blue No. 2
- Green No. 3
These six dyes are among the nine that are currently FDA-approved artificial food dyes for general use, but states are moving to restrict their presence in school environments due to ongoing health concerns.
Summary of Dyes Affected by State Bans in School Foods
| Food Dye | Status in State School Food & Drinks (by 2027) | Current Federal Status (General Use) |
|---|---|---|
| Red No. 40 | Banned in some states | FDA-approved |
| Yellow No. 5 | Banned in some states | FDA-approved |
| Yellow No. 6 | Banned in some states | FDA-approved |
| Blue No. 1 | Banned in some states | FDA-approved |
| Blue No. 2 | Banned in some states | FDA-approved |
| Green No. 3 | Banned in some states | FDA-approved |
Federal Review of Red No. 3
In addition to state-level actions, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actively considering a federal ban on Red No. 3. This artificial food dye has been under scrutiny for its safety, and the FDA may eventually move to ban its use in food, drugs, and cosmetics. However, as of now, Red No. 3 remains an FDA-approved additive, with a potential federal ban still under review.
