Oklahoma lawmakers study pros and cons of eliminating food dyes, additives

State lawmakers are continuing the fight to pass Senate Bill 4, which would ban certain food dyes and substances. In an interim study on Tuesday, experts discussed the health and economic impacts of the dyes.

SB 4 prohibits any person or entity from manufacturing, selling, brewing, or distributing certain dyes and substances in food products as outlined in the measure, beginning January 15, 2027, for such dyes in food products and beginning January 18, 2028, for such dyes used to reformulate ingestible drugs.

The prohibited dyes and substances are as follows:

Blue dye 1

Blue dye 2

Green dye 3

Red dye 3

Red dye 40

Yellow dye 5

Yellow dye 6

Upon the issuance of a revocation of authorization for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the prohibition shall extend to the follow