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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to remove artificial food dyes from the nation’s food supply
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The HHS Secretary said this is a major step forward in his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative
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Red No. 3. was already banned by the FDA in January under former President Joe Biden’s administration
The Trump administration has plans to remove artificial food dyes from the nation’s food supply, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
On April 21, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA commissioner Marty Makary announced plans to phase out the remaining eight petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which are used to make food and beverages brightly colored so they are more appealing to consumers.
Kennedy has claimed that food makers have been allowed to “mass poison” American children and cracking down on food dyes will be one “major step forward” in his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
There have been claims that several food dyes — specifically red dye No. 3, red dye No. 40 and yellow dye No. 5 — impact children’s behavior, causing hyperactivity. But in 2011 the FDA said a “casual relationship” could not be determined.
However, for children who already had ADHD, that “condition may be exacerbated by exposure to a number of substances in food, including, but not limited to, synthetic color additives.”
Related: FDA Bans Red No. 3 from Food and Drinks, Citing Cancer Risks
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More details on Kennedy’s plan will be released during a press conference April 22 in Washington, D.C. These changes are expected to be made by the end of 2026. However, the department has not shared any outline of enforcement.
In January, former President Joe Biden’s administration began this movement when the FDA banned Red No. 3. due to cancer risks.
“The FDA cannot authorize a food additive or color additive if it has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals,” Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy director for human foods, said in a statement at the time. “Evidence shows cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3.”
Meanwhile, the eight remaining dyes Kennedy hopes to remove are widely used in the United States.
According to the FDA, some of the foods that will be impacted include baked goods, cereals, ice cream, popsicles, frostings and icing, confections, beverages, candy, frozen dairy desserts, yogurt, condiments, gelatins, crackers, sauces, pudding, snack foods and more.
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