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Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes commonly found in ultraprocessed foods. The initiative responds to growing concerns about potential health risks in children, including hyperactivity, obesity, and long-term illnesses such as cancer and diabetes. Artificial dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are widely used in brightly colored cereals, candy, fruit-flavored drinks, and snack foods. While the plan’s full details are still being finalized, HHS and the FDA intend to eliminate the use of eight artificial color additives by the end of 2026, working with food manufacturers to facilitate the transition.
According to new CivicScience data, a strong majority of U.S. adults (79%) at least ‘somewhat’ support the FDA’s plan to phase out several artificial food dyes, far exceeding the 21% who express at least ‘somewhat’ opposition. Notably, parents of children over age 12 are more likely to support the phase-out than parents of younger children, even though younger children may be more susceptible to the health effects of artificial food dyes.
Additional findings show that support is strongest among Republicans, high-income earners (those expecting to make $100,000 or more annually), adults aged 65 and older, men, and those with a graduate or professional degree.
Weigh In: Do you think artificial dyes should or should not be banned from food products in the US?
Americans also express broad concern about the presence of artificial food dyes in the products they purchase and consume. Seventy-six percent of U.S. adults say they are concerned about food dyes, including 30% who are ‘very’ concerned and 46% who are ‘somewhat’ concerned.
Despite widespread concern and strong support for phasing out certain food dyes, many consumers still purchase products that contain them. In fact, a slight majority of U.S. adults (52%) say the presence of artificial colors and flavors — often an indicator of food dyes — ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ influences their purchase decisions. Meanwhile, 29% say these ingredients affect what they buy most of the time, and another 20% say they impact their choices about half the time.
Use this Data: CivicScience clients leverage real-time insights like these to have a pulse on changing consumer behavior to retain customers amid today’s uncertain environment.
As public awareness grows around the phase-out of food dyes and research into their potential health risks continues, CivicScience data offers insight into which grocery retailers could be most affected. Consumers who do most of their grocery shopping at membership club stores (e.g., Costco, Sam’s Club) and at specialty or co-op grocers are the most likely to avoid products containing artificial colors or flavors. In contrast, shoppers at supercenter retailers (e.g., Walmart, Target) and large or regional grocery chains (e.g., Giant Eagle, Harris Teeter) are the least likely to be swayed by the presence of these ingredients.
Answer our Poll: How strongly do you support or oppose the FDA’s plan to phase out several types of artificial food dyes?
As federal agencies move forward with plans to phase out artificial food dyes, consumer attitudes suggest both opportunities and challenges ahead. While most Americans support the initiative and express concern about these additives, a sizable portion still overlooks them when making food choices, highlighting a gap between sentiment and behavior. As regulatory changes take shape and more information becomes available, that gap may begin to close. Food companies and retailers that adjust early may be better positioned to meet shifting expectations as the landscape evolves.
