A series of studies have raised concerns by associating synthetic food colorings with health risks from hyperactivity to cancer.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated that the agency has several actions planned to phase out the use of synthetic dyes. It will work with companies to voluntarily eliminate six commonly used dyes by the end of next year: FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Blue No. 2.

That’s about to change. By order of Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., dyes will likely be removed from food by the end of next year. We’re talking about petroleum-based dyes that are blue, green, yellow and red.