FDA proposes ban on Orange B, a food dye not used for decades

By JONEL ALECCIA AP Fitness Writer Federal regulators are proposing to remove another artificial dye from the U S food supply Orange B a synthetic color that hasn t been used in the U S for decades Related Articles Obama says the US is at an inflection point after Kirk s killing and Trump has divided the country Foreign disinformation about Charlie Kirk s killing seeks to widen US divisions Tariffs bird flu and severe weather are pushing several everyday groceries to record prices Connect Four lightsabers Furbies and snow Which playthings belong in the Toy Hall of Fame Mass fitness personnel recommend COVID- vaccine for all adults ahead of federal guidance The U S Food and Drug Administration disclosed Wednesday that it would seek to repeal the regulation allowing use of the dye approved in to color sausage casings and frankfurters No batches of the dye have been certified or appealed to be used since FDA agents disclosed Its use has been abandoned by industry the agency stated in a declaration The color additive regulation is outdated and unnecessary But consumer advocates who have called for tougher FDA regulation of food dyes and other additives for decades have suggested it was an empty gesture It says they are currently willing to take mandatory measures only where it has no impact commented Sarah Sorscher who directs regulatory affairs for the Center for Science in the Residents Interest an advocacy group The move follows the FDA s decision in January to ban Red No because of probable cancer jeopardy That dye has been used far more widely in candies snack foods and medicines The Orange B proposal is separate from a fruitful push by the Trump administration this year to pressure top food manufacturers to voluntarily remove artificial food dyes from products ranging from cereals and yogurt to sodas After a brief society comment period it would take effect within days U S Physical condition Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary have pledged to remove petroleum-based dyes from U S foods citing concerns about children s wellbeing Mixed studies have indicated that exposure to food dyes can cause behavioral problems in various children including hyperactivity and attention issues However the FDA has maintained that approved dyes are safe and that the totality of scientific evidence shows that largest part children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives In recent times the FDA included six food dyes widely used in the U S Green No Red No Yellow No Yellow No Blue No and Blue No on a list of chemicals under agency review Another approved dye Citrus Red No is rarely used and detected in small amounts in the skin of a few citrus products The Associated Press Robustness and Science Department receives aid from the Howard Hughes Clinical Institute s Department of Science Tuition and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The AP is solely responsible for all content