HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in U.S. Food Supply
On Tuesday, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply. According to a news release, the FDA is taking the following actions:

• Establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.
• Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.
• Working with industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes—FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Blue No. 2—from the food supply by the end of next year.
• Authorizing four new natural color additives in the coming weeks, while also accelerating the review and approval of others.
• Partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct comprehensive research on how food additives impact children’s health and development.
• Requesting food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027-2028 deadline previously required.

The FDA is fast-tracking the review of calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, butterfly pea flower extract and other natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes. The agency is also taking steps to issue guidance and provide regulatory flexibilities to industries.

In partnership with the NIH Nutrition Regulatory Science and Research Program, the FDA will enhance nutrition and food-related research to better inform regulatory decisions, according to the announcement.

PrEP HIV Prevention Now Available Directly from Illinois Pharmacists
The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) has issued a standing order that will allow Illinoisans to obtain the HIV preventive medication PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) directly from a pharmacist without first requiring a doctor’s prescription.

According to an IDPH news release, PrEP is one of the most effective means of preventing HIV infection. Studies have shown that when taken as directed, it reduces the risk of HIV infection through sexual transmission by as much as 99%. The order, signed by IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, will make it easier for people at risk of exposure to HIV to obtain either of the two oral medications used in the PrEP regimen. It also streamlines the process for pharmacists to receive reimbursement for providing PrEP services.

HIV remains a concern in the state, although the picture is improving, according to IDPH. In 2024, there were 1,386 new diagnoses of the virus statewide, down 9% from the previous year. New infections disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic communities, accounting for more than 60% of new infections annually. IDPH’s PrEP4IL program provides medication assistance to relieve financial burdens for those in need of PrEP. There were more than 900 new applications for the program last year, with significant growth among Black and Hispanic populations. The new standing order is designed to improve access to PrEP for individuals at highest risk.

For more information, click here. For information on the state’s PrEP Assistance Program, contact IDPH’s HIV Section PrEP Helpline at 1-833-773-7445 (1-833-PREP4IL), by email at DPH.PrEP4IL@illinois.gov or through the website www.PrEPforIllinois.com.

Gov. Pritzker Announces $30 million to Revitalize Main Streets, Downtowns 
On Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and local leaders in Jacksonville to announce state-funded grant awards totaling $30 million for 25 grantees through the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets (RDMS, $20 million) and Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE, $10 million) programs to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas throughout the state and accelerate local economic initiatives.

The RDMS Capital Program provides grants for construction, repair, and modernization of public infrastructure and amenities to boost jobs, improve quality of life and stimulate economic activity for communities that have experienced historic disinvestment. The goal of this program is to drive investment in infrastructure and public amenities that will invite more people back into Main Street districts and local city centers in communities of all sizes. These Main Street districts are economic and cultural engines for small towns across the state. The second round of RDMS funding builds upon $106 million in RDMS grants provided in 2022.

Through the RISE Implementation Program, the state is allocating funding toward economic development projects or initiatives identified in plans produced with support from RISE Local and Regional Planning grants to accelerate economic recovery. This includes acquiring land for affordable housing development, street scaping, historic building renovation and other critical infrastructure projects identified in localities’ RISE plans. For a full list of awardees, click here. 

AHA to Host IPPS Webinar Next Week
The American Hospital Association will host a webinar on the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule on Monday, April 28 at 1 p.m. CT. To register, click here.  

On April 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the fiscal year (FY) 2026 IPPS proposed rule. CMS proposed a payment rate update of 2.4% for IPPS hospitals, and used the proposed rule to promote a recent Request for Information (RFI) based on Executive Order 14192: Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation. The RFI seeks public input on approaches and opportunities to streamline regulation and reduce burdens on Medicare program participants. Responses to the RFI are due June 10.

CMS also proposed removing quality measures across the FY 2026 Medicare payment systems related to health equity, social determinants of health and COVID-19 vaccination rates among healthcare personnel.