In a major move toward cleaner, healthier food, U.S. officials have announced plans to phase out several synthetic food dyes commonly used in everyday products. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary revealed Tuesday’s initiative, marking a hopeful shift in how the country approaches food safety and children’s health.

The FDA will begin by revoking approval for two petroleum-based dyes in the coming months and working closely with food manufacturers to remove six more by the end of next year. At the same time, the agency plans to introduce four new natural colorings and fast-track others to support the transition.

This decision comes amid growing awareness of artificial dyes’ potential effects on health, particularly in children. Concerns have been raised about links to ADHD, obesity, and other conditions. A 2007 study in a respected medical journal highlighted a connection between food dyes and hyperactivity, adding urgency to the conversation.

“This is about putting our children’s health first,” said Makary, who emphasized that the move to natural dyes—like beet, carrot, and watermelon juice—shouldn’t lead to higher prices for consumers. He added that the FDA will partner with the National Institutes of Health to deepen research into how food additives affect development.

Kennedy described the change as a long-overdue course correction and a meaningful step in reducing chronic illness. “We’ve run one of the largest unintentional experiments on children in our history,” he said. “Now it’s time to clean up our food supply.”

Major brands are already signaling their support, preparing to update products like Doritos, Gatorade, and Lucky Charms. While some industry groups have pushed back, public health advocates are applauding the decision as a turning point in U.S. food policy.

With more natural alternatives on the horizon and growing momentum for transparency in food labeling, this move is being hailed as a win for families—and a promising start to a healthier future.