The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is relaxing rules that restrict when food companies can claim their products have no artificial colors.
The agency announced Thursday that food labels may claim to have “no artificial colors” when they are free of petroleum-based dyes, even when they contain dyes derived from natural sources such as plants. In the past, the FDA has allowed companies to make those claims only when products “had no added color whatsoever," the agency said in a statement.
The move is another step toward the Trump administration's aim to phase out synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply.
In a joint statement, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the move would encourage companies to switch to natural rather than synthetic colors if they can claim their products contain no artificial colors.
“We are taking away that hindrance and making it easier for companies to use these colors in the foods our families eat every day,” Makary said in a statement.
Kennedy and Makary have urged U.S. companies to voluntarily remove synthetic dyes from their products — and many food makers, such as PepsiCo and Nestle, have complied. In addition, some states have taken steps to ban artificial dyes from school meals.
The move drew praise from Consumer Brands, a trade group for packaged foods, which said “all natural ingredients should continue to follow a rigorous science and risk-based evaluation process.”
“This is a positive example of the FDA taking the lead on ingredient safety and transparency,” Sarah Gallo, the group's senior vice president, said in a statement.
But the label change could mislead consumers, said Sarah Sorscher, director of regulatory affairs for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group. It would allow a claim of “no artificial colors” for any color additive that is not a petroleum-based certified color, including potentially harmful additives such as titanium dioxide.
Also on Thursday, the FDA said it had approved a new natural dye, beetroot red, and expanded the use of spirulina extract, a color derived from algae that provides a blue hue in foods. The FDA currently allows roughly three dozen natural dyes in food products. The agency banned a controversial dye known as Red No. 3 last year and has proposed banning a rarely-used hue, Orange B.
The agency also recently said it would review the six remaining petroleum-based dyes frequently used in the U.S. food supply: Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2.
Health advocates have long called for the removal of artificial dyes from foods, citing inconclusive studies that found they could cause neurobehavioral problems, including hyperactivity and attention issues in some children. Other health experts have noted that bright synthetic colors are a key component of ultraprocessed foods marketed to children, increasing consumption of added sugar, fat and sodium that can lead to health problems.
Still, the FDA's website on Thursday continued to acknowledge limited evidence for harms from artificial colors. “The totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives, but some evidence suggests that certain children may be sensitive to them,” the site said.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
FILE - Applications Scientist Anuj Bag mixes coloring with flour at Sensient Technologies Corp., a color additive manufacturing company, April 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 2, 2026--
White Castle, the family-owned Slider pioneer, is bringing a little Southwest sizzle to the Castle in the form of a brand-new Slider: the Chicken Fajita Slider.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260402672708/en/
Available for a limited time beginning April 6, the Chicken Fajita Slider invites Cravers to spice up their spring in a whole new way. This bold, flavor-packed creation features crispy, all-white meat chicken topped with grilled onions and peppers, jalapeño cheese and zesty green chili aioli. It’s a Southwest-inspired twist designed to deliver maximum Crave in every bite.
“We’re always looking for new ways to surprise and delight our Cravers,” said Jamie Richardson, chief marketing officer at White Castle. “The Chicken Fajita Slider brings bold flavor to our iconic Slider lineup while staying true to what we do best: delivering hot, tasty and affordable food that keeps people coming back for more.”
White Castle market tested the Chicken Fajita Slider in Indianapolis in 2021. While customers loved the Slider, a post-COVID ingredient shortage put the systemwide rollout on the back burner. A consumer survey in the fall of 2025, however, confirmed that it was time to introduce the Chicken Fajita Slider as a limited-time menu item in all of its markets.
The Chicken Fajita Slider, available at participating White Castles through June 14 or while supplies last, costs between $2.59 and $2.99, depending on the region.
White Castle also introduces brand-new Jalapeño Cravioli
In addition to the Chicken Fajita Slider, White Castle is introducing another brand-new, limited-time-only menu item — Jalapeño Cravioli. This tasty side dish is made from diced jalapeño peppers and cream cheese stuffed inside crispy, seasoned cornmeal breading and served with green chili aioli dipping sauce. It runs $1.99 for a small serving (five pieces) and $4.99 for a sack (14 pieces) and is available April 6 through June 14 (or while supplies last).
April brings hot and steamy deals to the Castle
Cravers coming to Castles in April can savor the new Chicken Fajita Slider, Jalapeño Cravioli, and countless other Sliders and sides at unbeatable prices. Members of the free-to-join CRAVER NATION REWARDS ® program can get a Chicken Fajita Slider and a three-piece Jalapeño Cravioli for just $3.99. In addition, beginning April 6, Cravers can visit whitecastle.com/value-offers to download coupons for $3 off a Crave Clutch and $1 off any Combo Meal.
Editor’s Note: Download imageshere.
About White Castle ®
White Castle, America’s first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates 334 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including “Most Influential Burger of All Time” by Time magazine (2014, The Original Slider ® ) and one of the “10 Most Innovative Dining Companies” by Fast Company (2021). White Castle is known for the legendary engagement of its team members and has received the Great Place to Work ® Certification™ for an extraordinary five consecutive years spanning 2021–2025. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans (Cravers), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the CRAVER NATION REWARDS ® loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. For more information on White Castle and how to Follow Your Crave, visit whitecastle.com.
On April 6, White Castle will introduce two brand-new limited-time menu items -- the Chicken Fajita Slider and Jalapeño Cravioli.
