Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to announce ban on artificial food dyes
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to announce ban on artificial food dyes
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HHS planning studies on autism spectrum disorder, RFK Jr. says
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the agency plans to study possible environmental links to autism spectrum disorder.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be delivering on a campaign promise to ban artificial food dyes by announcing the phasing out of eight petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation's food supply.
Kennedy will be joined by Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary to discuss the plan at a news conference Tuesday afternoon, according to a release from the Department of Health and Human Services.
While a White House official told USA TODAY on background that there are eight dyes on the chopping block, neither the White House nor the Department of Health and Human Services provided a list or a timeline of the dyes that will be phased out.
Kennedy has railed against Big Food and Big Pharma and blamed the nation's 'chronic disease epidemic' on additives and junk food as part of his Make America Healthy Again agenda.
The FDA, under the Biden administration, had mandated a ban on Red Dye No. 3, found in candy, desserts, and some medications, by January 15, 2027.
Kennedy told CBS News earlier this month that during a closed-door meeting with food company CEO's he'd demanded that artificial food dyes would "all have to be out within two years."
Many processed foods such as candies, snack foods, margarine, soft drinks, jams and pudding contain artificial dyes such as FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red Nos. 3 and 40, FD&C Yellow Nos, according to the FDA.
The Consumer Brand Association, which represents companies that manufacture food, beverages and household products sent a letter to its members with a readout of Kennedy's meeting during a March 12 meeting with food industry CEOs.
The letter, which was shared on background with USA TODAY, said it was an 'urgent priority' for the administration to remove certain artificial colors from the food supply – and that he wanted it 'done before he leaves office.'
Food activists cheered the decision.
Food activist and blogger Vani Hari, who has run campaigns around ingredients and transparency against food companies for more than a decade, said it was a big win for parents.
'I'm really excited about this. In two years, you are gonna be able to go to a soccer field and not see chips with artificial food dyes and a sports drink with artificial food dyes being served,' said Hari, who has been invited to the April 22 announcement. 'You're gonna be able to go to a birthday party and not have to worry about the icing.'
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal
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