# The Do or Dye Act: What It Means for Your Food

This bill would ban certain artificial food coloring additives that are currently approved by the FDA. Starting at the end of 2025, two specific dyes—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—would be prohibited in food. Then, starting at the end of 2026, six more common food colorings would be banned: Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Green No. 3, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2. Any food containing these dyes would be considered "adulterated" (unsafe to sell), and companies would be required to remove them from their products or face enforcement action.

This would affect a wide range of everyday foods and drinks that many Americans consume regularly. Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 are particularly common—you'll find them in everything from candy and sodas to cereals, yogurts, and baked goods. The bill would force food manufacturers to reformulate their products using alternative colorings, which could change how familiar foods look and potentially affect their taste or shelf life. Some companies might switch to natural colorings like beet juice or turmeric, while others might simply remove the color altogether.

The practical impact on consumers would likely be noticeable but gradual. Prices for some colored foods might increase slightly due to reformulation costs. You might notice that your favorite red candy or orange soda looks different or tastes slightly different if manufacturers change their recipes. The bill's supporters argue these dyes pose health risks, while critics contend they're already safe at current levels and that the ban is unnecessary. Either way, if this bill passes, American food companies would need to make significant changes to match what's already common in Europe, where many of these same dyes are already restricted or banned.