The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that it is eliminating the authorized use of Orange B as a color additive in food and is proposing to revoke the authorized use of Citrus Red No. 2 as a color additive in food.
The actions are part of a broader effort to eliminate outdated authorizations for petroleum-based color additives, the agency said.
“The Trump administration is taking decisive action to strengthen the safety of America’s food supply,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “By working to eliminate outdated authorizations for petroleum-based color additives that are no longer used, we are modernizing our food safety regulations and helping to Make America Healthy Again.”
The agency said Orange B, which could be previously used to color the casings or surfaces of hot dogs and sausages, has been abandoned and is outdated. The final order is effective 45 days after date of publication in the Federal Register.
The FDA said it is also proposing to revoke the regulation authorizing the use of Citrus Red No. 2 as a color additive in food because the food industry has abandoned using it.
The agency said Citrus Red No. 2 has been authorized since 1959 for coloring the skins of mature oranges. The FDA is accepting public comments on the proposed revocation until Aug. 24.
“The FDA is committed to maintaining a science-based, modern regulatory framework that reflects current manufacturing practices and marketplace realities,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas. “By working to remove outdated and unnecessary authorizations under President Trump’s regulatory reform agenda, we are ensuring our regulations remain effective, transparent, and aligned with the agency’s public health mission.”
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