Charleston, West Virginia — On Monday, Governor Morrisey signed House Bill 2354 into law, making West Virginia the first state in the nation to pass a sweeping ban on synthetic food dyes, linked to behavioral issues, endocrine disruption and cancer risks.

The legislation, supported by 17 groups including Food & Water Watch and the Environmental Working Group, prohibits the sale of food products containing seven synthetic dyes and two preservatives beginning in 2028. At least 20 other states are considering similar legislation.

In response, Food & Water Watch Senior Food Policy Analyst Rebecca Wolf issued the following statement:

“Dangerous chemicals have no place in our food supply. We applaud West Virginia’s leadership in the nationwide push to clean up our food and public health, and encourage states to follow their example.”

Earlier this year, in response to a petition by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Food & Water Watch, and 22 organizations and scientists, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) banned Red Dye No. 3 from food and drinks in the United States, citing the dye’s cancer risk. The ban will go into effect in 2027.

In addition to Red Food Dye No. 3, which has been found to cause cancer when ingested by animals, West Virginia’s House Bill 2354 bans Red Dyes No. 3 and 40; Yellow Dyes No. 5 and 6; Blue Dyes No. 1 and 2; Green Dye No. 3; and preservatives butylated hydroxyanisole and propylparaben.