The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced plans to revoke the approval of Orange B, a synthetic dye initially authorised in 1966 for sausage casings and frankfurters. No certified batches of the dye have been requested since 1978, signalling that the additive has been abandoned by industry. The FDA described the regulation permitting its use as outdated and unnecessary.
The proposal follows the agency’s January ban on Red No. 3, a dye used in candies, snacks, and medicines, due to potential cancer risks. Separately, the Trump administration had encouraged major food manufacturers to voluntarily eliminate artificial dyes from cereals, yogurts, and soft drinks. The Orange B repeal will undergo a brief public comment period before taking effect within 45 days.
Current FDA reviews also cover six widely used dyes — Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2 — and Citrus Red No. 2, a dye occasionally present in citrus skins. The agency continues to maintain that approved dyes are safe, despite studies linking some food colourings to behavioural issues in children.
Health officials have highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce petroleum-based dyes in the food supply and strengthen consumer protection around additives.
This development is primarily regulatory, with limited immediate impact on manufacturers due to Orange B’s lack of commercial use.