WASHINGTON, July 22, 2026. The Food and Drug Administration issued a final order revoking the authorization for the use of Orange B as a color additive in food, alongside a proposed rule to revoke the use of Citrus Red No. 2. These regulatory actions reflect ongoing reviews of food color additives based on current scientific standards and consumption data. Federal regulators noted that neither additive has been in active commercial use by the food industry for several years, making the authorizations obsolete.
Orange B was previously authorized exclusively for use in the coloring of sausage casings, while Citrus Red No. 2 was restricted to the coloring of whole oranges that are not intended for processing. As regulatory frameworks evolve, food manufacturers often pivot toward alternative ingredients. For instance, products like 365 Whole Foods Market Orange Decorating Sugar, which holds a FoodScore of 18 out of 100 in the fruit category, utilize alternative coloring agents compliant with current federal guidelines. Such adjustments help maintain transparency across commercial product lines.
Regulatory Background and Next Steps
The statutory framework governing color additives requires the agency to evaluate safety data continuously. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, an additive must be shown to be safe for its intended use. When an ingredient is no longer used by manufacturers or when new data emerges, the agency initiates rulemaking to update safety authorizations. The direct final rule regarding Orange B becomes effective following a standard 60-day objection period, while the proposal for Citrus Red No. 2 is open for public comment.
Public health agencies and food manufacturers continue to monitor compliance regarding these federal updates. While specialty items like 67th Street BBQ Original Sauce with Smoked Cocktail Sausages, which scores 33 out of 100 in the prepared foods category, are unaffected by these specific color additive revocations, the broader regulatory shift underscores the agency's commitment to modernizing the code of federal regulations for the U.S. food supply.