Federal government ditches synthetic food dyes in all cafeterias
H.R. 6653 — Dye Free Procurement Act · Filed by Michael Lawler (R-NY) · Introduced Dec 11, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill prohibits federal agencies from buying food containing eight specific synthetic color dyes (Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Green No. 3, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Citrus Red No. 2, and Orange B) and requires them to prioritize dye-free alternatives when available. The ban applies to new contracts starting six months after enactment and affects all executive branch food procurement.
Why we flagged it
The bill is a straightforward procurement policy that shifts federal food purchasing toward products without synthetic color additives. It is not a subsidy, immunity grant, or deregulation—it is a purchasing standard applied to executive agencies.
What the text implies
- May increase federal food procurement costs if dye-free alternatives command price premiums; cost impact depends on supplier capacity and market maturation.
- Creates market incentive for food manufacturers to develop and scale dye-free product lines, potentially accelerating industry-wide reformulation.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
Food manufacturers producing or reformulating dye-free products; Organic and natural food suppliers; Food ingredient suppliers specializing in natural colorants