State Banned Ingredient Lists Are Here—Is Your Product Ready?

From coast to coast, new legislation is reshaping how food and beverage companies approach formulation. California and West Virginia have both passed sweeping bans on certain additives and dyes, with effective dates looming, making product changes no longer just a consideration but a legal requirement.

Now, with federal action underway, reformulating products without controversial ingredients is becoming a nationwide priority.

FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes

On May 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a plan to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply.

This federal move addresses concerns about the health impacts of artificial colorings, particularly their links to behavioral effects in children, and aligns with consumer demand for clean-label, transparent products.

Key elements of the FDA’s plan include:

(1) Working with the industry to phase out six synthetic dyes, in addition to Red Dye No. 3:

• Red Dye No. 40
• Yellow Dye No. 5
• Yellow Dye No. 6
• Blue Dye No. 1
• Blue Dye No. 2
• Green Dye No. 3
  

(2) Starting the process to revoke authorization for two artificial food colorants: 

• Citrus Red No. 2
• Orange B
  

(3) Authorizing new, natural food colorants as alternatives and partnering with the National Institute of Health (NIH) to conduct more research on the impacts of food additives.

HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., described the initiative as part of a broader effort to modernize U.S. food safety and restore confidence in the nation’s food system.

Read the full FDA announcement here

🏛️ California Food Safety Act (AB-418)

Signed into law in October 2023, California’s Food Safety Act (AB-418) bans the following ingredients starting January 1, 2027:

• Brominated vegetable oil
• Potassium bromate
• Propylparaben
• Red Dye No. 3

This ban applies to the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food products containing these ingredients within the state of California.

🏛️ West Virginia H.B. 2354: Two-Phase Ingredient Ban

Passed on March 24, 2025, West Virginia’s H.B. 2354 introduces a phased ban targeting synthetic dyes and preservatives:

Phase 1 – Effective August 1, 2025

Bans the use of the following dyes in school meals:

• Red Dye No. 3
• Red Dye No. 40
• Yellow Dye No. 5
• Yellow Dye No. 6
• Blue Dye No. 1
• Blue Dye No. 2
• Green Dye No. 3
  

Phase 2 – Effective January 1, 2028

Bans the manufacture and sale of products containing:

• Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
• Propylparaben
• All dyes listed in Phase 1
  

How ENTR Helps You Stay Compliant

If you’re formulating for national distribution – or just want to stay ahead of the curve – these bans are a clear sign that consumers’ clean label expectations are turning into law.

ENTR allows you to instantly see if any of your ingredients or raw materials contain banned substances based on the latest legislation. It’s a fast way to spot potential issues early in product development, making compliant formulation easier than ever.

Our platform:

✓ Flags banned or restricted ingredients in real time, right inside your formula

✓ Keeps your team current with state and federal regulations‍

✓ Simplifies compliance planning and reformulation

Note: While ENTR tracks most common ingredient names, some may be encoded or misspelled. Always verify with a regulatory expert before launching or distributing products in affected regions.

Want Help Setting Up Banned Ingredient Targets?

We’re here to support your team. Contact us now to get started with compliance-ready formulation.

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