The Trump administration has set its sights on eliminating artificial dyes from the nation’s food supply, with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. bluntly telling top executives at major companies like PepsiCo and General Mills that it’s a “strong desire” to rid the food system of these ingredients.
Kennedy emphasized that this is an urgent priority for the administration and warned companies that they should anticipate significant change as a result of his quest for healthier ingredients. He also ordered the Food and Drug Administration to revise its policy allowing companies to decide on new ingredients without regulatory review.
The proposed changes come after California banned Red Dye No. 3, a move followed by other states. The administration is pushing for the removal of synthetic color additives known as FD&C colors from food products nationwide. Kennedy claims this will provide transparency to consumers and ensure that ingredients being introduced into foods are safe.
Food companies have expressed alarm about the plan but some see it as an opportunity to adapt natural ingredients, like carrot or blueberry juice, for coloring. The industry has vowed to provide consumers with more options using natural ingredients without synthetic colors.
Kennedy’s move has been praised by advocates for food safety who criticize the existing GRAS policy as a loophole that enables untested ingredients. Dr. Peter Lurie, a former F.D.A. official, notes that while the data on cancer related to food dyes is limited, the effort might be effective because these dyes do little other than make unhealthy food appear more appealing.
The administration’s push for healthier ingredients has been met with skepticism by some, who argue that the impact of artificial dyes may not be significant in reducing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. However, Kennedy believes his plan will have a positive effect on public health.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/health/rfk-jr-food-safety-artificial-dyes.html