Latest news with #&C
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Eight artificial dyes will be phased out of US food supply, Health Secretary RFK Jr. says
Eight artificial dyes will be eliminated from medications and the nation's food supply by the end of 2026, including those found in candy, ice cream, soft drinks and jams, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. These artificial dyes – detailed during an April 22 news conference in Washington – are used to offset color loss due to exposure to light, temperature extremes as well as to provide color to colorless and "fun" foods, according to the Food and Drug Administration. For years, Kennedy has railed against Big Food and Big Pharma and blamed the nation's 'chronic disease epidemic' on additives and junk food, including during his campaign for president in the 2024 Democratic primaries and then as an independent. After he endorsed President Donald Trump, Trump incorporated those ideas into his own campaign and they're now part of the new administration's Make America Healthy Again agenda. More: Robert F. Kennedy now heads Trump's MAHA commission: What to know The dyes that will be phased out in less than two years are FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow Nos 5 and 6. In the coming months, the process will begin to revoke authorization of Orange B, Citrus Red No. 2, according to the HHS. Within weeks, the FDA will also authorize four new natural color additives and partner with the National Institutes of Health to conduct research on "how food additives impact children's health and development," according to the HHS. Under the Biden administration, the FDA had already mandated by January 15, 2027, a ban on Red Dye No. 3, found in candy, desserts, and some medications. HHS said on April 22 that the Trump administration is requesting food companies move that deadline RFK Jr. wants to get rid of food dyes. These 'crunchy moms' are ready. Kennedy in the past has linked food dyes and additives to ADHD and chronic diseases, such as obesity. At the April 22 news conference, the Trump Cabinet member rattled off a litany of diseases and neurological disorders and appeared to link them to chemicals being added by the food and drug industries. In March, Kennedy met in private with the leaders of food companies such as PepsiCo, General Mills, Tyson Foods, Kraft, Heinz and Kellogg's. During that meeting, Kennedy told CBS News that he demanded artificial food dyes would "all have to be out within two years." Kennedy on April 22 recalled a conversation with his staff after that meeting with the food industry leaders and hinted at an initial reluctance by the CEOs to get rid of petroleum-based dyes. "I said, if they want to add petroleum, they want to eat petroleum," he said. "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." Kennedy also complained that there are "shockingly few studies" on the safety of food dyes and certain other ingredients because of conflicts of interest at the federal agencies he now oversees. More: 'If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it': Meet the food blogger influencing RFK Jr. A study by the California's Environmental Protection Agency in 2021 linked consumption of synthetic food dyes to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children. Similar studies also previously prompted the European Union to restrict food coloring. 'Evidence shows that synthetic food dyes are associated with adverse neurobehavioral outcomes in some children,' said California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Director Dr. Lauren Zeise. 'With increasing numbers of U.S. children diagnosed with behavioral disorders, this assessment can inform efforts to protect children from exposures that may exacerbate behavioral problems.' Last year, California banned six dyes from use in public school lunches. The Consumer Brand Association, which represents companies that manufacture food, beverages and household products, told its members that it was an 'urgent priority' for the Trump administration to remove certain artificial colors from the food supply – and that Kennedy wanted it 'done before he leaves office. Food activist and blogger Vani Hari, who has run campaigns around ingredients and transparency against food companies for more than a decade, said Kennedy's efforts were a win for American parents. "I never thought I'd see the day when the FDA actually did this," Hari told USA TODAY. "I had lost faith in my government leaders and now it's been restored. The FDA is no longer sleeping at the wheel." Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal (This story has been updated with more information and photographs.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr. bans eight artificial food dyes from nation's food supply
Daily Tribune
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
William and Kate release images on low-key anniversary
Prince William and his wife Catherine marked their 14th anniversary by releasing a romantic photograph of themselves on the Scottish island of Mull, as the princess continues her cancer recovery. The heir to the throne and Catherine, also known as Kate, were pictured looking out to sea on a shoreline with their arms around each other. The couple were dressed casually in open-necked shirts, jackets and boots, with Catherine showcasing a new light brown hair colour. The picture was posted on their official social media accounts with a heart emoji and signed with their initials. 'Wonderful to be back on the Isle of Mull. Thank you to everyone for such a warm welcome W & C,' it said. The couple opted for a lowkey anniversary celebration including a stay at a self-catering cottage on the secluded west coast island. They married on April 29, 2011, at London's Westminster Abbey in a ceremony watched by tens of millions around the world.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
RFK Jr.: Petroleum-based synthetic dyes to be removed from US food supply and medications
RFK Jr.: Petroleum-based synthetic dyes to be removed from US food supply and medications Show Caption Hide Caption RFK Jr. unveils plan to ban eight artificial food dyes by 2026 Eight artificial dyes will be banned from medications and the nation's food supply by the end of 2026, Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. The FDA will phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in food and medications by the end of 2026. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited potential health risks of these dyes, particularly for children. The FDA will expedite the approval of natural color alternatives and research the impact of food additives on children's health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it would phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the United States' food supply and medications. The announcement followed a news conference from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on April 22. "For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,' Kennedy said. "These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children's health and development. That era is coming to an end. We're restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public's trust. And we're doing it by working with industry to get these toxic dyes out of the foods our families eat every day." It's all part of the Trump administration's program to Make America Healthy Again. Here's what you should know. What dyes will be removed from food, medicines? The dyes that will be phased out by the end of 2026: FD&C Green No. 3 FD&C Red No. 40 FD&C Yellow No. 5 FD&C Yellow No. 6 FD&C Blue No. 1 FD&C Blue No. 2 Also coming within the coming months will be action to remove authorization to use: Citrus Red No. 2 Orange B Why are dyes used in food and medications? Artificial dyes are used to "offset color loss due to exposure to light, air, temperature extremes, moisture and storage conditions; correct natural variations in color; enhance colors that occur naturally; provide color to colorless and 'fun' foods," according to the Food and Drug Administration. How do you know if your food has artificial dyes? Artificial dyes can be found in many processed foods, including: candies snack foods margarine soft drinks jams/jellies gelatins pudding and pie filling Looking at food labels, how would food dyes be listed? Look for: FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2 FD&C Green No. 3 FD&C Red Nos. 3 and 40' FD&C Yellow Nos. 5 and 6 Orange B Citrus Red No. 2 annatto extract beta-carotene grape skin extract cochineal extract or carmine paprika oleoresin caramel color fruit and vegetable juices saffron The FDA said exempt color additives are not required to be declared by name on labels but may be declared simply as 'artificial color' or 'color added.' Will the petroleum-based dyes be replaced with other dyes? 'Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada,' said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. "The FDA is fast-tracking the review of calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and other natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes." Within weeks, the FDA will also authorize four new natural color additives and partner with the National Institutes of Health to conduct research on "how food additives impact children's health and development," according to the HHS. What's bad about existing food dyes? 'We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD. Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children,' Makary said. Kennedy in the past has linked food dyes and additives to ADHD and chronic diseases, such as obesity. A study by the California's Environmental Protection Agency in 2021 linked consumption of synthetic food dyes to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children. Similar studies also previously prompted the European Union to restrict food coloring. However, the FDA lists on its website: "The totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives, but some evidence suggests that certain children may be sensitive to them." Dairy Association reacts quickly, pledges to eliminate dyes in school lunches The International Dairy Foods Association reacted quickly to the news released by Kennedy on April 22, pledging to "eliminate the use of certified artificial colors in milk, cheese, and yogurt products sold to K-12 schools for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs by the start of the 2026-2027 school year, or July 2026. "The goal of the Commitment is to eliminate the use of Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 in any milk, cheese, and/or yogurt products sold to K-12 schools for reimbursable school meals by July 2026." The organization said it would "discontinue products containing certified artificial colors or to reformulate products with natural ingredients.' 'America's dairy farmers and milk processors have always led the way in providing our families and schoolchildren with healthy, nutritious, and delicious milk products," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. "While I look forward to getting whole milk back into our schools, today's announcement shows how the dairy industry is voluntarily driving change and giving consumers what they want, without government mandates,' said Secretary Brooke Rollins. Across the U.S., the total number of children who participated in school breakfasts was just over 14.3 million, with 28.1 million participating in school lunches. The vast majority — 11.3 million and 19.7 million respectively — received free or reduced prices for the meals. 5 states ban use of artificial colors in food sold to schools "Five states — Arizona, California, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia — have already passed laws banning their use in foods sold to schools, and others are likely to follow suit," the International Dairy Foods Association said. What else is the FDA doing? The Food and Drug Administration is:
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Business owners chew on how FDA dye restrictions will affect them
One local business owner seemed moderately concerned at how dye changes could affect her operations. Others expected less impact. In a statement issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday, the Health and Human Services Department announced initiatives to remove six petroleum-based artificial dyes from the food supply. The administration is aiming to remove the dyes by the end of 2026 with a broader plan to 'Make America Healthy Again.' 'Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada,' FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in the statement. He outlined concerns including childhood diabetes, obesity, depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder by 'doctors and parents' who fear a potential connection to petroleum-based food dyes. 'We should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children.' Initiatives include revoking authorization for two synthetic food colorings, Citrus Red No. 2, used to color orange peels, and Orange B, used to color sausage casings, 'within the coming months.' The government also intends to remove six remaining synthetic dyes — FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Blue No. 2 — from the food supply by the end of next year, remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than previously requested, and authorize 'four new natural color additives in the coming weeks,' including 'calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, and butterfly pea flower extract.' Galdieria extract blue is made from algae, gardenia blue is a powder made from a gardenia flower extract, and butterfly pea flower extract results in a blue coloring. Schronda White, of Scranton, the owner of Sturdy Candy and Consignment Shop for the past 2½ years, said she had no idea that the dyes, some commonly used to color popular candies, had any connection to health issues, and has concerns that the changes might affect her business. 'I'd probably lose a lot of business because I'm a candy store,' she said, adding that in time, with research, she could find candy that uses 'the right dye' so that her business could recover, and that she has concerns about selling products that could 'harm anybody's health.' 'I would never put anybody's health or situation at risk, I would never do that,' she said. 'I would probably have to close and regroup and take the candy where they say dye is not recommendable and have to do a whole sweep. I wouldn't sell that candy.' In a candy ingredient and nutritional declaration dated from 2022, issued by Mars Wrigley, colors listed in the ingredients in M&Ms and Skittles include 'Blue 1,' 'Yellow 5,' 'Yellow 6' and 'Red 40.' Joe Fasula, owner of Gerrity's Supermarkets, doesn't expect the FDA's actions to cause big changes in the grocery industry. 'As far as the grocery stores themselves, it should be seamless for us,' he said, explaining that the stores 'don't really use any dyes' in their production. 'There may be some in our ingredients, as far as our bakery icings and such. I would think those would just transition over to whatever the alternative dyes are,' he said, adding he is uncertain about how new dyes may affect prices. He said over the years, things have changed in the grocery industry in general, citing examples including more avocados and off-season fruit in the produce aisle, fat percentages listed on beef packaging, and added sugar being included on food labels, and said he believes 'more information is better.' 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant,' Fasula said. 'I'm always opposed to more regulations, but I'm always in favor of more information, and I think that information is the best way to replace regulations. You don't need regulations, necessarily, as long as people are informed.' Kelly Baker, the manager at Everything Natural, a healthy food supermarket in Clarks Summit, said they support the changes. 'Oh, gosh, we're definitely on board, we don't carry anything in our store that has any artificial colors or flavors,' said Baker. She said if they happen to accidentally order an item with an ingredient that they don't feel is safe for customers, they 'don't put it out.' 'All our colors are based on fruit — like say if something needed red colors, it'd use beet for that,' Baker explained. She said she's seen a lot of change in the last 20 to 25 years in what people want to eat, and she expects the rest of the food industry will 'catch up' to her store's exacting standards, in time. 'People are more geared to the natural foods, and we have people coming in looking for natural and organic items that don't have artificial flavors and colorings,' Baker said, explaining she believes it's because people 'want to be healthier.' She said she believes it's possible that artificial colors and red dye may cause health issues. 'I'm not saying that's true, but they're saying a lot of things can cause autism, can cause this, can cause that,' she said, adding she understands that Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is spearheading the initiative to 'ban all that kind of stuff,' including 'the coloring, the dyes, everything artificial.' Kennedy's 'Make America Healthy Again' website at invites supporters to purchase merchandise like a 'Make Frying Oil Tallow Again' hat. In Pennsylvania, House Bill 1130, introduced March 17, aims to 'prohibit the sale of products containing Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 in any public school in the Commonwealth,' citing research pointing to the improved academic and behavioral performance by students who eat healthy, and to problems with brain development, hyperactivity and more for those who do not. 'There is a growing body of evidence that links artificial food dyes to many negative health effects on children including hyperactivity, inattention, irritability, as well as other behavioral and developmental issues,' the bipartisan bill memo states. 'Artificial food dyes serve no nutritional purpose whatsoever. We do not believe these dyes have any place in our schools.' Schronda White, of Scranton, the owner of Sturdy Candy and Consignment Shop, holds one of her candy displays. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)Sturdy Candy and Consignment Shop signs are displayed. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Petroleum-based dyes to be removed from US food, school lunches. What to know
Petroleum-based dyes to be removed from US food, school lunches. What to know Health Secretary Robert Kennedy called them 'poisonous compounds' Show Caption Hide Caption RFK Jr. unveils plan to ban eight artificial food dyes by 2026 Eight artificial dyes will be banned from medications and the nation's food supply by the end of 2026, Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. Eight artificial food dyes will be removed from foods and medications sold in the U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy called them 'poisonous compounds.' Dairy Association pledges to remove or reformulate foods with the dyes in products used in school lunch programs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it would phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the United States' food supply and medications. The announcement followed a news conference from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on April 22. "For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,' Kennedy said. "These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children's health and development. That era is coming to an end. We're restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public's trust. And we're doing it by working with industry to get these toxic dyes out of the foods our families eat every day." It's all part of the Trump administration's program to Make America Healthy Again. Here's what you should know. What dyes will be removed from food, medicines? The dyes that will be phased out by the end of 2026: FD&C Green No. 3 FD&C Red No. 40 FD&C Yellow No. 5 FD&C Yellow No. 6 FD&C Blue No. 1 FD&C Blue No. 2 Also coming within the coming months will be action to remove authorization to use: Citrus Red No. 2 Orange B Why are dyes used in food and medications? Artificial dyes are used to "offset color loss due to exposure to light, air, temperature extremes, moisture and storage conditions; correct natural variations in color; enhance colors that occur naturally; provide color to colorless and 'fun' foods," according to the Food and Drug Administration. How do you know if your food has artificial dyes? Artificial dyes can be found in many processed foods, including: candies snack foods margarine soft drinks jams/jellies gelatins pudding and pie filling Looking at food labels, how would food dyes be listed? Look for: FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2 FD&C Green No. 3 FD&C Red Nos. 3 and 40' FD&C Yellow Nos. 5 and 6 Orange B Citrus Red No. 2 annatto extract beta-carotene grape skin extract cochineal extract or carmine paprika oleoresin caramel color fruit and vegetable juices saffron The FDA said exempt color additives are not required to be declared by name on labels but may be declared simply as 'artificial color' or 'color added.' Will the petroleum-based dyes be replaced with other dyes? 'Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada,' said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. "The FDA is fast-tracking the review of calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and other natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes." Within weeks, the FDA will also authorize four new natural color additives and partner with the National Institutes of Health to conduct research on "how food additives impact children's health and development," according to the HHS. What's bad about existing food dyes? 'We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD. Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children,' Makary said. Kennedy in the past has linked food dyes and additives to ADHD and chronic diseases, such as obesity. A study by the California's Environmental Protection Agency in 2021 linked consumption of synthetic food dyes to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children. Similar studies also previously prompted the European Union to restrict food coloring. However, the FDA lists on its website: "The totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives, but some evidence suggests that certain children may be sensitive to them." Dairy Association reacts quickly, pledges to eliminate dyes in school lunches The International Dairy Foods Association reacted quickly to the news released by Kennedy on April 22, pledging to "eliminate the use of certified artificial colors in milk, cheese, and yogurt products sold to K-12 schools for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs by the start of the 2026-2027 school year, or July 2026. "The goal of the Commitment is to eliminate the use of Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 in any milk, cheese, and/or yogurt products sold to K-12 schools for reimbursable school meals by July 2026." The organization said it would "discontinue products containing certified artificial colors or to reformulate products with natural ingredients.' 'America's dairy farmers and milk processors have always led the way in providing our families and schoolchildren with healthy, nutritious, and delicious milk products," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. "While I look forward to getting whole milk back into our schools, today's announcement shows how the dairy industry is voluntarily driving change and giving consumers what they want, without government mandates,' said Secretary Brooke Rollins. 5 states ban use of artificial colors in food sold to schools "Five states — Arizona, California, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia — have already passed laws banning their use in foods sold to schools, and others are likely to follow suit," the International Dairy Foods Association said. What else is the FDA doing? The Food and Drug Administration is:
