The US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is set to announce a significant US ban on artificial food dyes, impacting a wide range of commonly consumed products, according to a statement released by the health agency.
This anticipated Kennedy food dye ban is to target petroleum-based synthetic dyes found in numerous cereals, candy, snacks, and beverages across the United States. The Health Secretary plans to unveil the phasing out of these synthetic food dyes as a “major step forward in the Administration’s efforts to Make America Healthy Again,” as stated by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Monday.
While specific timelines for these changes were not immediately provided, HHS indicated that Kennedy will offer comprehensive details during a highly anticipated news conference on Tuesday regarding the US artificial food dye regulations.
How Artificial Food Dyes Have Been Linked to Neurological Issues in Children
The reason behind this impending ban on artificial food colors stems from growing concerns about their potential impact on children’s health. These petroleum-based food dyes, prevalent in countless food items including breakfast cereals, sweet candy, convenient snacks, and various beverages, have been increasingly linked to neurological problems in some children, raising significant public health alarms.
During his campaign trail alongside Donald Trump, Robert F Kennedy Jr made a clear commitment to address the issue of artificial food dyes and the broader concern surrounding ultra-processed foods upon his confirmation as the head of a top US health agency. This upcoming announcement signifies a fulfillment of that pledge and underscores the administration’s focus on making America healthy by tackling potentially harmful food additives.
This potential nationwide ban follows earlier actions taken by regulatory bodies regarding specific artificial food dyes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously announced a ban on Red Dye 3 in US food and pharmaceuticals, set to take effect in 2027, citing its link to cancer in animal studies.
Furthermore, California had already taken a proactive stance by banning Red Dye 3 in 2023, indicating a growing awareness and concern at the state level regarding the safety of synthetic food colorings.
Why It Matters
The US is not alone in addressing the concerns surrounding artificial food colors. In 2008, British health ministers agreed to phase out six artificial food colourings by 2009, while the European Union has implemented bans on certain colorings and mandates warning labels on others. This global trend underscores a growing international consensus regarding the potential risks associated with these synthetic additives.
In recent months, the movement to ban artificial food dyes has gained traction in several state legislatures across the US. West Virginia recently banned synthetic dyes and preservatives in food, and similar bills have been introduced in other states, indicating a growing public and legislative appetite for reducing or eliminating these artificial ingredients from the food supply.
