A series of new measures by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply are applicable to animal food. Several of the dyes are currently listed as approved ingredients for commercial feed under California Code of Regulation (CCR) Title 3, Article 14, consistent with their listing in the Code of Federal Regulations, including FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2.
Relevant to the application of these color additives in animal food, the FDA has taken the following actions:
- Revoking the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 as a matter of law, based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). Manufacturers who use FD&C Red No. 3 have until January 15, 2027 to reformulate their products.
- Requesting food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027 deadline required.
- Working with industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes—FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—from the food supply by the end of next year.