The Trump administration asking for the food industry's cooperation in 1nixing 2petroleum-based 3synthetic dyes that give some snacks some of their signature colors.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary says a planned 4phase out of certain food dyes is 5aimed at making food healthier.

"We are 6erring on the safe side and moving to remove these from the US food supply."

Makary following up on Tuesday's announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA seek to remove petroleum based synthetic dyes from the US food supply by the end of next year and fast-track the review of 7natural alternatives.

"Nobody wants to see petroleum. Everybody knows. There's enough science out there that we know it's terrible for you."

Specific risks to human health from synthetic dyes have been somewhat 8understudied, but research in animals has shown a potential link between some dyes and an increased risk of cancer or tumors.

Other research has pointed to 9restlessness, learning difficulties and attention problems in some children with dye sensitivities.

Without much 10hard evidence, some experts see the moves as 11precautionary.

"The decision about what to do with the dye really depends on the degree to which you want to 12employ the precautionary principle."

The plan for now 13relies on the cooperation of food manufacturers.

The Consumer Brands Association, an industry group for some of those manufacturers said in a statement that ingredients in the US food supply have been, quote, "14rigorously studied and 15demonstrated to be safe."

Some consumer safety groups 16lauded the move at the federal level, but they're a little bit 17skeptical of the timeline.