The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced two regulatory actions aimed at removing outdated authorizations for petroleum-based colour additives used in food. The agency has issued a final order revoking the authorization of Orange B and has proposed revoking the authorization of Citrus Red No. 2. According to the FDA, both colour additives are no longer being certified for commercial use, and the actions form part of the agency's broader initiative to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply. Following a review of public comments, the FDA concluded that the authorized use of Orange B has been abandoned by industry and therefore finalized its revocation. The FDA is also seeking public comment on its proposal to revoke the authorization of Citrus Red No. 2, another petroleum-derived colour additive used in limited food applications. These measures build on earlier FDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiatives announced in 2025 to transition the food industry toward natural colour alternatives and reduce reliance on petroleum-based food dyes. Food manufacturers using colour additives in the United States should monitor the progress of the proposed revocation for Citrus Red No. 2 and assess any potential impact on product formulations and compliance obligations.
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