7 Chick-fil-A Menu Items at Risk Under FDA’s Artificial Dye Crackdown

7 Chick-fil-A Menu Items at Risk Under FDA’s Artificial Dye Crackdown

In April 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the health initiative led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced a plan to phase out eight synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026. While not technically a mandatory ban (yet), the FDA is urging food manufacturers and restaurants to voluntarily remove these dyes from their offerings.

Many chains have begun updating their recipes—but Chick-fil-A, a beloved name in American fast food, still has work to do. From spicy sandwiches to signature milkshakes, several items on their menu contain dyes that may soon be off-limits.

Here are the seven Chick-fil-A items that could be impacted by the upcoming FDA crackdown. Zoshua Colah / Unsplash

1. Spicy Chicken Sandwich

One of Chick-fil-A’s most popular items is hiding a surprising ingredient: Yellow 6 in the paprika seasoning on the spicy chicken patty. The original sandwich doesn’t contain the dye, making this an easy fix if Chick-fil-A opts for clean-label paprika going forward. Brad / Unsplash

2. Spicy Chicken Biscuit

The breakfast version of the spicy sandwich comes with the same issue—Yellow 6 in the paprika blend used on the chicken filet. A simple seasoning reformulation could make this menu item compliant with upcoming FDA standards. Yikrazuul, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

3. Peach Milkshake

The shake itself passes the test, but the maraschino cherry on top contains Red 40, a synthetic dye included in the FDA’s targeted list. Ask for it without the cherry, and the treat is dye-free. CamEvans from Sacramento,California, California, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

4. Cookies and Cream Milkshake

Another milkshake, another cherry. Again, Red 40 is the culprit, found only in the garnish. The shake base is otherwise free from artificial dyes. Jü, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

5. Chocolate Milkshake

Despite the rich color of chocolate, this shake’s only dye-related issue is—unsurprisingly—the maraschino cherry, which contains Red 40. Yle is dreaming, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

6. Strawberry Milkshake

Chick-fil-A uses fruit and vegetable juice for the coloring in the shake itself, which is great. But once again, Red 40 in the cherry topping lands this menu item on the FDA’s watchlist. ulleo / Pixabay

7. Vanilla Milkshake

Even the simplest shake on the menu isn’t immune. The maraschino cherry makes a repeat appearance here, complete with Red 40. Khanh Nguyen / Unsplash

What About the Sauces?

Good news: Chick-fil-A addressed dyes in sauces years ago. As reported by NBC News in 2013, the chain removed artificial dyes from all dressings and sauces and even swapped Yellow 5 in their soups for natural turmeric. Today, they use beet juice and annatto for coloring—ingredients not covered by the ban. NUMBRstation, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Maraschino Cherries and Paprika? Chick-fil-A’s FDA Hurdles Are Surprisingly Small

Chick-fil-A’s main challenge under the upcoming FDA regulations lies in a few surprisingly minor ingredients. With simple changes—like sourcing dye-free paprika and replacing or removing maraschino cherries—the brand could fully align with RFK Jr.’s FDA initiative before the 2026 deadline. For fans of the chain, it’s good news: most items won’t need to disappear, just clean up a bit. Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons