The FDA is phasing out petroleum-based artificial food dyes by end of 2026, part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. Red 3 was already banned in January 2025. Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 are next. CheckIt AI scanned 25 products and found thousands still containing these dyes.
The following petroleum-based artificial dyes are being phased out under FDA's 2026 timeline:
| Dye | Also Known As | Found In | Health Concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red 40 | Allura Red, E129 | Candy, cereal, sports drinks | Hyperactivity, ADHD risk in children |
| Yellow 5 | Tartrazine, E102 | Mac & cheese, chips, candy | Hyperactivity, allergic reactions |
| Yellow 6 | Sunset Yellow, E110 | Cereal, baked goods, sauces | Hyperactivity, tumors in animal studies |
| Blue 1 | Brilliant Blue, E133 | Candy, beverages, ice cream | Allergic reactions, chromosomal damage |
| Red 3 | Erythrosine, E127 | Candy, popsicles, cake | Banned Jan 2025 — thyroid tumors |
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, championed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has accelerated food safety reform in the US. Key developments:
CheckIt AI analyzed 25 products with flagged additives. These are the lowest-scoring products we found that still contain artificial dyes or harmful additives:
| Product | Brand | Score | Flagged Additives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Protein | Premier Protein | 7/100 | e340 e340ii e340iii e343 e343i e407 e452 e452i e950 e955 |
| MAX PROTEIN NUTRITION SHAKE, MILK CHOCOLATE | Abbott Laboratories Inc | 7/100 | e407 e466 e950 e955 |
| PEPPERED BEEF JERKY, PEPPERED | Old Trapper Smoked Products | 12/100 | e250 |
| PEPPERONI FRENCH BREAD TOPPED WITH PIZZA SAUCE, MOZZARELLA CHEESE FRENCH BREAD SINGLES PIZZAS, PEPPERONI | The Schwan Food Company | 24/100 | e160c e250 e300 e320 e321 e322 e322i e330 |
| Cookie Dough Chunk Puffs | Built | 24/100 | e322 e322i e422 e500 e500ii e968 |
| Cookies & Cream Protein Bar | Barebells | 24/100 | e1200 e322 e322i e422 e955 e965 |
| WHOLE WHEAT WITH QUINOA + FLAX SIMPLY BETTER TORTILLAS, TORTILLAS | La Tortilla Factory Inc | 24/100 | e200 e270 e282 e322 e322i e330 e341 e341i e412 e450 e450i e466 e500 e500ii |
| SKITTLES ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE ENERGY DRINK | Woodbolt Distribution, LLC | 24/100 | e202 e211 e296 e330 e950 e955 |
| Beef Jerky | Old Trapper | 24/100 | e250 |
| CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH PROTEIN BARS, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH | Quest Nutrition, LLC | 24/100 | e1200 e322 e322i e422 e955 e968 |
| CHOCOLATE CREME GLUTEN-FREE SANDWICH COOKIES, CHOCOLATE CREME | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | 28/100 | e322 e322i e500 e500ii |
| Plant-powered super cereal | else | 28/100 | e322 e322i e450 potassium iodide |
| SHELLA GOOD AGED WHITE CHEDDAR AND SHELLS, SHELLA GOOD | Gooder Foods, Inc. | 38/100 | e270 e339ii |
| Multihealth Fiber | Metamucil | 49/100 | e110 e330 e951 |
| Prebiotic Fiber Supplement | Benefiber | 49/100 | e1400 e460 e460i e572 |
| Artificial Dye | Natural Alternative | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Red 40 | Beet juice, carmine, lycopene | Beets, cochineal, tomatoes |
| Yellow 5 | Turmeric, annatto, saffron | Turmeric root, achiote seeds |
| Blue 1 | Spirulina, butterfly pea flower | Blue-green algae, flowers |
| Green 3 | Chlorophyll, matcha | Green plants, green tea |
Research shows artificial food dyes are especially harmful to children:
Parents concerned about dyes can use our safest kids' snacks guide and the #SchoolLunchCheck challenge to identify dye-free options.
The FDA is phasing out all petroleum-based artificial dyes: Red 40 (Allura Red), Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow), Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue), Blue 2 (Indigotine), Green 3 (Fast Green), and Red 3 (already banned January 2025).
Under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, the FDA is acting on decades of research linking petroleum-based dyes to hyperactivity in children, ADHD, allergic reactions, and cancer risk in animal studies. The EU already requires warning labels on these dyes.
Download CheckIt AI (free) and scan any product's barcode or ingredient list. The app instantly flags all artificial dyes and suggests dye-free alternatives. You can also use our free Ingredient Banned Checker online.
Over 35% of major US food companies have committed to removing artificial dyes, including Walmart (Great Value brand), Hershey, Nestlé, Mars, Kellogg's, and General Mills. Many are switching to natural alternatives like beet juice, turmeric, and spirulina.