- On July 22, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced actions targeting two color additives in food by issuing a final order revoking the authorized use of Orange B (21 CFR 74.250) and proposing to revoke the authorized use of Citrus Red No.2 (21 CFR 74.302).
- Last year, as we previously posted, FDA announced a proposed order to revoke the color additive regulation for Orange B. Following an evaluation of public comments on the proposal, FDA did not receive information that changed its conclusion that the authorized use of Orange B had been abandoned by industry, which led to the final order.
- FDA’s proposal to revoke the color additive regulation for Citrus Red No.2 is also based on the agency’s tentative conclusion that this use has been abandoned by industry.
- These regulatory changes are part of the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative with Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stating that “by working to eliminate outdated authorization for petroleum-based color additives that are no longer used, we are modernizing our food safety regulations and helping to Make America Healthy Again.” FDA is also continuing to track voluntary industry commitments to remove certain color additives in food through its Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum-Based Food Dyes website, which summarizes voluntary commitments as companies transition to alternative color sources.
- FDA is accepting public comments on the proposed revocation of Citrus No. 2 as a color additive in food at www.regulations.gov, using Docket FDA-2026-N-6304 until August 24, 2026. Keller and Heckman will be happy to assist in drafting comments on behalf of interested companies.
