Orange B Food Dye May Soon Be Removed From U.S. Market, FDA Says

Key Takeaways

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to remove Orange B, a food dye that hasn't been used since 1978

Advocates say the move has little impact on today’s food supply

The step follows January’s ban of Red No. 3 due to ongoing cancer concerns

THURSDAY, Sept. 18, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Federal health officials want to take Orange B — an artificial food dye that hasn’t been used in more than four decades — off the books.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it plans to repeal regulations that have allowed the synthetic dye in the food supply since 1966.

Orange B was once used to color sausage casings and frankfurters, but no certified batches have been produced or requested since 1978.

“Its use has been abandoned by industry,” the FDA said in a