FDA Advances Plan to Replace Eight Synthetic Food Dyes With Natural Alternatives, Despite Supply Limits and Emerging Health Data on Both

Human studies suggest a link between artificial dyes and behavior issues in children, but the report stated there is no strong evidence that the dyes cause ADHD or other neurobehavioral conditions.

Monica Kelly, a registered dietician and associate health and well-being manager at Montefiore Einstein, told ABC News that research on natural dyes is limited but so far appears safe. She noted that beta-carotene, the most commonly used natural dye, has been tied to an 18 percent increased risk of lung cancer and, when used as a supplement, increases the risk of death especially for smokers.

A large French study linked higher intake of some natural food color additives including beta-carotene to increased rates of cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

The same study associated plain caramel with higher cancer rates and turmeric, anthocyanins and carmine with increased diabetes risk. Turmeric and curcumin have also been linked to rare cases of liver injury, particularly in concentrated supplement form.

Kantha Shelke, a food scientist and researcher at Johns Hopkins University, told ABC News that the primary concern with carmine and annatto is allergic reaction rather than toxicity.

Carmine responses range from hives to, rarely, anaphylaxis, while annatto can occasionally trigger a potentially severe immune response in sensitive individuals and may aggravate chronic hives. Shelke said most other commonly used natural color additives including beet, turmeric, spirulina, saffron and grape skin extract are considered low risk and have only rarely been linked to adverse reactions.

Kelly added that many of the compounds used as natural dyes provide health benefits when consumed in whole foods, but may behave differently when added to ultraprocessed foods.