Federal: HR5027

Bill Summary

The Ban Harmful Food Dyes Act designates ten synthetic color additives, Red 40, Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, Citrus Red 2, and titanium dioxide, as unsafe for use in food, effective January 1, 2027. Any food containing these dyes after that date will be legally deemed adulterated and barred from sale. The ban also extends to any "substantially similar" additive, closing the door on reformulation workarounds and creating a full phase-out of these synthetic colorants from the U.S. food supply.

Why It Matters to MAHA

MAHA supports this bill because it eliminates synthetic additives rather than just labeling them, removing the problem instead of just disclosing it. These dyes have been linked to behavioral and developmental concerns in children and are already restricted or banned in the EU, Canada, and other developed nations, yet remain legal and common in American food.This legislation gives U.S. families access to the same safer food options already available abroad, and further advances health freedom and consumer choice in the marketplace.