US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that eight artificial dyes will be phased out of the country’s food supply by the end of 2026, including those found in candy, ice cream, and soft drinks. The dyes, which are used to provide color to foods, have been linked to health problems such as ADHD and chronic diseases.
The FDA has already mandated a ban on Red Dye No. 3, found in candy and desserts, and the Trump administration is requesting food companies to move this deadline forward. Kennedy Jr. also stated that there are “shockingly few studies” on the safety of food dyes due to conflicts of interest at federal agencies.
The eight artificial dyes that will be phased out include:
– FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2
– FD&C Green No. 3
– FD&C Red No. 40
– FD&C Yellow Nos. 5 and 6
New natural color additives are set to be authorized, and research on their impact on children’s health will begin soon. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts have been welcomed by food activists, who see this move as a step towards protecting public health.
In March, Kennedy met with food industry leaders and demanded that artificial dyes be eliminated within two years. He stated, “If they wanna add petroleum, they want to eat petroleum. They ought to add it themselves at home, but they shouldn’t be feeding it to the rest of us without our knowledge or consent.”
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/22/rfk-jr-food-artificial-dye-food-supply/83211595007