Federal health authorities will soon require food manufacturers to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the American food supply, a sweeping regulatory change that would transform countless products on supermarket shelves nationwide.

The US Food and Drug Administration plans to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply due to health concerns, Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced Tuesday.

Health officials say the initiative will help fast-track the review of safer alternatives. They say the first two dyes out of eight are slated to be eliminated by the end of July.