Tyson Foods to Eliminate Synthetic Dyes by End of May
Move anticipates federal, AL HB491 K-12 school dye bans
Tyson Foods announced plans to remove all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from its products by the end of May, positioning the company ahead of federal efforts to phase out such additives.
The move would also seem to anticipate Alabama’s HB491, which would ban Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2 and Green Dye No. 3 from public K-12 schools. HB491 is poised to die in the House Health Committee in this legislative session.
During a May 5 earnings call, Tyson CEO Donnie King stated that the company has been "proactively reformulating" products to eliminate synthetic dyes. He noted that most of Tyson's offerings, including popular items like chicken nuggets, already do not contain these dyes. Additionally, King emphasized that none of the products provided through school nutrition programs include petroleum-based synthetic dyes.
This move aligns with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) initiative to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the national food supply. On April 22, the agencies announced plans to revoke authorization for two synthetic dyes—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—and work with the industry to eliminate six others, including FD&C Red No. 40 and FD&C Yellow No. 5, by the end of 2026.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary highlighted concerns over the potential health impacts of these dyes, particularly on children. "We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD," Makary stated. "Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children.”
A 2021 report by the California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment found that these dyes can exacerbate neurobehavioral conditions like Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Tyson Foods for its swift action. "I look forward to seeing more companies follow suit and put the health of Americans first," he posted on X. "Together, we will make America Healthy Again.”
As part of the broader initiative, the FDA has recently approved three new natural-source color additives for use in food, offering manufacturers alternatives to synthetic dyes. These include Galdieria extract blue, derived from red algae; butterfly pea flower extract; and calcium phosphate.
Tyson Foods' proactive steps to eliminate synthetic dyes ahead of the federal timeline sets a precedent for the food industry, reflecting growing consumer and parental demands for more natural ingredients.
