Status: Final amendments/orders announced November 9; Federal Register publication scheduled for November 10. Effective January 11, 2027.

FDA is removing:

• Methylene chloride as a diluent in inks used to mark fruits and vegetables, under the Delaney Clause because it induces cancer in laboratory animals.
• Methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, and trichloroethylene as extraction solvents in the manufacture of annatto extract, paprika oleoresin, and turmeric oleoresin, based on industry abandonment.

After these actions, no authorized food-color or color-production uses remain for the three solvents. FDA announcementand Federal Register public-inspection documents. FDA

Why it matters: Ingredient specifications stating only “annatto,” “paprika oleoresin,” or “turmeric oleoresin” may not reveal the extraction solvent. Commercialization review now needs to reach upstream manufacturing processes.

Affected: Color manufacturers, produce-marking-ink suppliers, importers, and food manufacturers using these color preparations.

Review next: Obtain supplier attestations identifying extraction solvents; update specifications and change-control clauses; identify inventory manufactured using the revoked processes; and plan sourcing changes before January 11. Objections are due 30 days after publication—December 10 if publication occurs as scheduled.