WASHINGTON, D.C., July 22, 2026
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced two significant regulatory actions aimed at modernizing U.S. food safety regulations by removing outdated authorizations for petroleum-based food color additives. The agency issued a final order revoking the authorized use of Orange B as a color additive in food while simultaneously proposing to revoke the authorization for Citrus Red No. 2, citing that both additives are no longer used by the food industry. The initiative represents another step in the FDA’s broader effort to update food additive regulations, improve regulatory transparency, and align federal oversight with current manufacturing practices. The actions also support the Administration’s initiative to phase out obsolete petroleum-derived food dyes and encourage the transition toward modern alternatives used by today’s food manufacturers. The FDA will accept public comments on the proposed revocation of Citrus Red No. 2 through August 24, 2026, before making a final regulatory determination.
FDA Eliminates Outdated Food Color Additive Authorizations
The FDA announced that Orange B, a petroleum-based synthetic color additive previously approved for limited food applications, will no longer remain authorized following the agency’s final review of public comments. According to the FDA, no information submitted during the comment period changed its conclusion that the additive’s authorized use has been abandoned by industry, making the regulation obsolete. In parallel, the agency has proposed revoking the authorization for Citrus Red No. 2, a synthetic color additive that has been permitted since 1959 for coloring the skins of mature oranges. The FDA stated that available evidence indicates the food industry has also discontinued its use of Citrus Red No. 2, prompting the proposal to remove its authorization from federal regulations. These actions reflect the agency’s ongoing review of legacy food additive approvals to ensure that regulatory frameworks accurately reflect current commercial practices and food manufacturing standards.
Regulatory Modernization Supports Food Safety Goals
The latest FDA actions form part of a broader initiative to strengthen food safety oversight by removing outdated regulations that no longer serve a practical purpose within the food industry. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that eliminating obsolete authorizations for petroleum-based food color additives represents a step toward modernizing the nation’s food safety system while supporting the Administration’s public health priorities. Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, J.D., emphasized that maintaining a science-based regulatory framework requires continuous evaluation of historical regulations to ensure they remain relevant, transparent, and aligned with modern manufacturing practices. By removing authorizations for additives that are no longer used, the FDA aims to streamline regulatory oversight while maintaining strong protections for consumers and encouraging the continued adoption of updated food production technologies and alternative color sources.
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Public Comment Process Continues for Citrus Red No. 2
While the revocation of Orange B has been finalized, the FDA is continuing its regulatory review of Citrus Red No. 2 through a formal public comment process. Interested stakeholders, including food manufacturers, industry associations, researchers, and consumers, have until August 24, 2026, to submit comments before the agency determines whether to finalize the proposed revocation. The FDA noted that these regulatory actions are consistent with its ongoing efforts to monitor industry commitments to phase out petroleum-based food dyes and transition toward alternative coloring ingredients. The agency continues to evaluate changes across the food sector while updating regulations that no longer reflect commercial use or manufacturing practices. By retiring obsolete food additive authorizations and maintaining a modern regulatory framework, the FDA reinforces its commitment to protecting public health, supporting science-based regulation, and ensuring that the U.S. food supply remains aligned with current industry standards and evolving consumer expectations.
Source: FDA press release
