Hershey to eliminate synthetic dyes by 2027 amid growing health push
In April, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary rolled out plans to remove synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply to address health conditions such as ADHD, obesity and diabetes.
In case you missed it: Nestle USA to eliminate synthetic food colors by mid-2026
"Removing these colors is a natural next step in our program to ensure consumers have options to fit their lifestyle while maintaining trust and confidence in our products," Hershey's spokesperson said in a statement.
Bloomberg News had reported Hershey's intention to remove synthetic dyes on Monday.
The company's snack brands include Dot's Homestyle Pretzels, SKINNYPOP popcorn and FULFIL protein bars.
Several firms including W.K. Kellogg KLG.N, Tyson Foods TSN.N, Conagra Brands CAG.N, Nestle USA and General Mills GIS.N have been actively reformulating their product portfolio to exclude artificial colors and are introducing new items free of synthetic dyes.
Shares of the company were up 4% in early trading.
Reporting by Devika Nair and Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Pooja Desai
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USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
US pediatric group breaks with CDC advice, recommends COVID vaccines for young children
The American Academy of Pediatrics released its vaccine recommendations on Aug. 19 in a break from federal guidance shaped by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The AAP, in tandem with multiple other professional medical associations, previously decried a May announcement made by Kennedy Jr. that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the Centers for Disease Control's recommended immunizations for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that went against previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process. The AAP, a professional organization of over 65,000 board-certified pediatricians dedicated to advancing children's medicine, said in a June 26 statement that it would "continue to publish its own evidence-based recommendations and schedules," as the creation of federal immunization policy is 'no longer a credible process." Kennedy Jr. drew further ire from medical communities when he fired all 17 original members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the committee of health experts that provides guidance on vaccine use to the CDC, replacing them with members that critics have called unqualified. Some of the members, like Kennedy Jr., have a history of anti-vaccine advocacy and involvement in anti-vaccine groups. Here's what to know about the new AAP guidance and how it differs from federal guidelines. What is the AAP guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children? The AAP schedule lists which vaccines children should get at certain ages and provides updated guidance on influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 immunizations for children and adolescents from birth to age 18. The schedule recommends that all children between six months and 23 months receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine to reduce the chance of serious illness. Children and adolescents aged 2 to 18, without other high-risk factors like immunosuppression, can receive and should be offered the vaccine if they were not previously immunized, according to the guidance. Children, teens, and adults alike who are at increased risk of serious infection should receive the vaccine if they have not already, AAP said, adding that its recommendation differed from the CDC, which it said is now staffed with people who have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation. "The AAP will continue to provide recommendations for immunizations that are rooted in science and are in the best interest of the health of infants, children, and adolescents," AAP President Dr. Susan J. Kressly, MD, said in a statement. "Pediatricians know how important routine childhood immunizations are in keeping children, families and their communities healthy and thriving." What is the federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children? The CDC did not go as far as completely removing COVID-19 vaccination from its immunization schedule despite Kennedy Jr.'s insistence. Instead, the agency changed its language from recommending the vaccine annually to suggesting parents consult with their child's physician on whether to vaccinate. Kennedy Jr. previously said that the CDC planned only to recommend the COVID vaccine for people over the age of 65 and those at high personal risk of infection, though the agency's website still contains information recommending it for everyone over the age of six months. A notice on the top webpages on the topic reads, "COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have recently been updated for some populations. This page will be updated to align with the updated immunization schedule," as of Aug. 19. This change to whom the vaccine is recommended could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, experts warned. Since insurance coverage typically follows federal recommendations, anyone who wants the shot but isn't on the CDC's recommendation list may have to pay the price out of pocket HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon defended the decision in a statement to USA TODAY, accusing the AAP, which receives funding from pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, of failing to have proper conflict-of-interest safeguards in place. "By bypassing the CDC's advisory process and freelancing its own recommendations, while smearing those who demand accountability, the AAP is putting commercial interests ahead of public health and politics above America's children," Nixon said. Kennedy Jr. shared a separate response on social media on Aug. 19, pointing out that the agency's top donors are four companies that "make virtually every vaccine on the CDC recommended childhood vaccine schedule" and saying that the AAP recommendations are "corporate-friendly" and may "promote commercial ambitions of AAP's Big Pharma benefactors" instead of public health. "AAP should also be candid with doctors and hospitals that recommendations that diverge from the CDC's official list are not shielded from liability under the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act," his post concluded. USA TODAY reached out to AAP for comment on Aug. 19 but has not received a response. The new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices didn't vote on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations when they met in June and are expected to reconvene in "September/October," according to the CDC. The FDA has signaled intentions to revoke the Pfizer COVID-19 shot for young, healthy children. In early August, HHS announced that it would pull $500M in funding from mRNA vaccine research and development.
Los Angeles Times
11 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
U.S. pediatricians' new COVID-19 vaccine recommendations differ from CDC advice
NEW YORK — For the first time in 30 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics is substantially diverging from U.S. government vaccine recommendations. The group's new COVID-19 recommendations — released Tuesday — come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the new Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing. This isn't going to help, acknowledged Dr. James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP infectious diseases committee. 'It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them,' he added. The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Shots also are advised for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated, the AAP said. That differs from guidance established under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which doesn't recommend the shots for healthy children of any age but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians. Children ages 6 months to 2 years are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and it was important that recommendations continue to emphasize the need for them to get vaccinated, said Campbell, a University of Maryland infectious diseases expert. Vaccinations also are recommended for older children who have chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease, the AAP said. In a statement, Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said 'the AAP is undermining national immunization policymaking with baseless political attacks.' He accused the group of putting commercial interests ahead of public health, noting that vaccine manufacturers have been donors to the AAP's Friends of Children Fund. The fund is currently paying for projects on a range of topics, including health equity and prevention of injuries and deaths from firearms. The 95-year-old Itasca, Illinois-based organization has issued vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s. In 1995, it synced its advice with recommendations made by the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been a few small differences between AAP and CDC recommendations since then. For example, the AAP has advised that children get HPV vaccinations starting at age 9; the CDC says that's OK but has emphasized vaccinations at ages 11 and 12. But in 30 years, this is the first time the recommendations have differed 'in a significant or substantial way,' Campbell said. Until recently, the CDC — following recommendations by infectious disease experts — has been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. But in May, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. A few days later, the CDC issued language that healthy children may get the shots, but that there was no longer a 'should' recommendation. The idea that healthy older kids may be able to skip COVID-19 boosters has been brewing for some time among public health experts. As the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, experts have increasingly discussed the possibility of focusing vaccination efforts on people 65 and older — who are among those most as risk for death and hospitalization. A CDC expert panel in June was set to make recommendations about the fall shots. Among the options the panel was considering was whether suggest shots for high-risk groups but still giving lower-risk people the choice to get vaccinated. But Kennedy bypassed the group, and also decided to dismiss the 17-member panel and appoint his own, smaller panel, that included vaccine skeptics. Kennedy also later excluded the AAP, the American Medical Association and other top medical organizations from working with the advisers to establish vaccination recommendations. Kennedy's new vaccine panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations. The panel did endorse continuing to recommend fall flu vaccinations, but also made a decision that led to another notable difference with the AAP. The new advisory panel voted that people should only get flu vaccines that are packaged as single doses and do not contain the preservative thimerosal. The AAP said there is no evidence of harm from the preservative, and recommended doctors use any licensed flu vaccine product that's appropriate for the patient. Stobbe writes for the Associated Press. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
US pediatricians contradict US government for first time in 30 years over Covid vaccine advice for babies
For the first time in three decades, the American Academy of Paediatrics has significantly diverged from official US government vaccine recommendations, issuing new guidance on Covid-19 shots for children. The move comes amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine sceptics have gained influence within the current US administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing. "It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them," acknowledged Dr James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP infectious disease committee. The AAP is now strongly recommending Covid-19 vaccinations for children aged six months to two years. Shots are also advised for older children if their parents wish for them to be vaccinated, the organization stated. This contrasts sharply with guidance established under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which does not recommend the shots for healthy children of any age, instead suggesting they may receive them in consultation with physicians. Dr Campbell, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Maryland, emphasized that children aged six months to two years are at high risk for severe illness from Covid-19, making continued vaccination recommendations crucial for this age group. Vaccinations are also recommended by the AAP for older children with chronic lung diseases or other conditions that elevate their risk for severe disease. The 95-year-old Itasca, Illinois-based organisation has been issuing vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s. In 1995, it aligned its advice with recommendations from the federal government's CDC. While there have been minor differences since then – for instance, the AAP advising HPV vaccinations from age nine, while the CDC emphasized ages 11 and 12 – this marks the first time in 30 years that the recommendations have differed "in a significant or substantial way," according to Dr Campbell. Until recently, the CDC, following expert advice, had been urging annual Covid-19 boosters for all Americans aged six months and older. However, in May, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that Covid-19 vaccines were no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. Days later, the CDC adjusted its language, stating that healthy children may get the shots, but removing the previous "should" recommendation. The notion that healthy older children might skip Covid-19 boosters has been discussed among public health experts as the pandemic has waned, with increasing focus on vaccinating those aged 65 and older, who face the highest risk of death and hospitalization. A CDC expert panel was set to make recommendations for autumn shots in June, considering options such as suggesting shots for high-risk groups while allowing lower-risk individuals the choice. However, Mr Kennedy bypassed this group, dismissing the 17-member panel and appointing his own, smaller panel, which included vaccine sceptics. He subsequently excluded the AAP, the American Medical Association, and other leading medical organizations from collaborating with these new advisers on vaccination recommendations. Mr Kennedy's new vaccine panel has yet to vote on Covid-19 shot recommendations. The panel did endorse continuing to recommend autumn flu vaccinations, but also made a decision that led to another notable difference with the AAP. The new advisory panel voted that individuals should only receive flu vaccines packaged as single doses and free of the preservative thimerosal. The AAP, however, stated there is no evidence of harm from the preservative and recommended that doctors use any licensed flu vaccine product appropriate for the patient. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
