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USA Today
22-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
RFK slams processed foods, pesticides, vaccines as harmful to kids in sweeping MAHA report
RFK slams processed foods, pesticides, vaccines as harmful to kids in sweeping MAHA report Show Caption Hide Caption RFK Jr.'s impact on HHS so far has some worried RFK Jr. reluctance to endorse the measles vaccine amid a deadly outbreak raised red flags. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. blames ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity, chronic stress and 'overmedicalization' for driving chronic diseases in U.S. children, according to his Make America Healthy Again commission report published May 22. The 69-page report, titled 'Making Our Children Healthy Again,' also says these drivers are partly propelled by corporate influence and government lobbying. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish a commission to "Make America Healthy Again" during Kennedy's swearing in ceremony Feb. 13, and tasked it with investigating chronic illness and delivering an action plan to fight childhood diseases, starting with a report due within 100 days – hitting that just in time. The MAHA commission members responsible for the report include Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya. In a call with reporters, Kennedy said the commission will work over the next 80 days to issue policy recommendations based on the report's findings for the White House. "This report is really… a diagnosis, the prescription comes in 100 days,' he said. RFK MAHA report targets ultra-processed foods, food dyes, sweeteners The report takes a closer look at the American diet and flags ultra-processed grains, sugars and fats, and food additives as problems fueling chronic diseases. Authors say ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, replace nutrient-dense foods and encourage people to eat more, leading to a rise in childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. UPFs include foods like ice cream, chips, cheeseburgers, French fries, soda, cake, candy and cookies. Research shows they're also linked to a number of health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression in women. They've also been linked to cognitive decline and cancer. The report also targets food additives such as artificial dyes, titanium dioxide, propylparaben, butylated hydroxytoluene and artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose and saccharin. The World Health Organization concluded in a 2023 report that the 'occasional consumption' of aspartame − typically found in sugar-free drinks like Diet Coke − is generally safe. Kennedy has already begun his campaign against food dyes, announcing in a April 22 news conference that the administration plans to eliminate eight dyes from medications and food by the end of 2026. 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 and Citrus Red No. 2, according to the HHS. What RFK report details about ingesting pesticides, environmental chemicals Report authors also flag environmental toxins and call for more research to study the health effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, microplastics, fluoride, electromagnetic radiation, phthalates, bisphenols and pesticides. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or 'forever chemicals,' consist of more than 12,000 man-made chemical compounds used in consumer products such as non-stick, greaseproof and waterproof coatings and surfaces. PFAS don't easily decompose in nature and because of this, they build up in human bodies and can lead to certain cancers and other serious health complications. Kennedy's push against fluoride – a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, air and various foods – has led to health regulators to remove ingestible fluoride supplements from the market. Fluoride has been added to the public water supplies for decades and dental products, such as toothpaste, as a dental cavities prevention measure. What are PFAS? 'Forever chemicals' are common and dangerous. So far, Utah and Florida are the only states that have banned fluoride from drinking water. Several other states like Kentucky, Louisiana and South Carolina have anti-fluoride bills on the table. The report calls out two herbicides – glyphosate and atrazine – and says an updated assessment on these common substances will be coming out in 2026. The primary exposure to glyphosate, which is used in weed killers like Roundup, occurs through food. Ahead of the report's publication, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall expressed concern the report's findings could erode the public's trust in the U.S. food supply, 'limit farming practices based on unproven theories,' and risk 'reducing access to affordable and nutritious foods,' according to a statement published May 20. Agency heads assured on a call about the commission report that the nation's food supply is safe. "Farmers need the tools in the toolbox to continue to feed the world, but it doesn't mean we can't do better," Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said. Kids are on 'too much medicine', MAHA report says In the report, authors argue that 'American children are on too much medicine' and criticize the childhood immunization schedule for encompassing more vaccines than Europe. The commission encourages larger clinical trials to look into the safety of childhood vaccines and potential links to chronic diseases. However, experts have said decades of evidence demonstrate the safety and benefits of these shots. Babies are supposed to receive vaccines that protect against about 15 different infectious diseases. Most require more than one dose, which amounts to nearly 30 jabs by age 2. Vaccine spreading: Babies get a lot of vaccines before they turn 2. Is it safe to spread them out instead? Report authors also said that less time spent outside in nature, and more time spent on screens and social media is contributing to the rise of negative physical and mental health outcomes in U.S. children. The commission said these outcomes are exacerbated by "overmedicalization," calling out medications that treat anxiety, depression and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are commonly used medications that were called out in the report. SSRIs are approved by the FDA to treat a range of conditions such as anxiety, depression, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and are used off-label to treat several others. On a call with reporters, NIH Director Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya criticized the medical literature supporting certain treatments and how to use them in children, calling it a "replication crisis." "We have a crisis that requires rethinking almost every aspect of how we think about disease and the prevention of disease," he said. Contributing: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY; Reuters. Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@
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
Fox News
07-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Food maker eliminating synthetic dyes from ingredients by end of May
The company behind Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm food products is making a key ingredient change amid a push from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Tyson Foods will remove all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from its products by the end of this month. Donnie King, president and chief executive officer of the Arkansas-based company, announced the news during an earnings call on Monday. EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT MAHA "As a recognized leader in protein, none of the products Tyson Foods offers through our school nutrition programs include petroleum-based synthetic dyes as ingredients," King said. Most of the company's retail-branded Tyson products, including its chicken nuggets, "do not contain any of these types of dyes, and we have been proactively reformulating those few products that do," he said. "We expect that our work to eliminate the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in production will be completed by the end of May." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER That's ahead of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) deadline for food manufacturers "to eliminate 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," he said. The FDA previously called for the removal of red dye from foods, dietary supplements and ingested medicines in January, as Fox News Digital reported at the time. For more Lifestyle articles, visit PepsiCo's chair and chief executive officer announced on April 24 that its popular snack foods like Lay's and Tostitos "will be out of artificial colors by the end of this year." Tyson Foods, along with its subsidiaries, operates several major brands, including Ball Park, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean and Wright Brand. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A spokesperson for Tyson Foods told Fox News Digital the company declined to provide further comment.
New York Post
30-04-2025
- Business
- New York Post
PepsiCo to remove artificial ingredients from popular food items by end of 2025
Heeding the call to ban artificial ingredients by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., PepsiCo isn't wasting any time getting started. Ramon Laguarta, PepsiCo Inc. chair and chief executive officer, said in an April 24 conference call that the company will reduce artificial ingredients and has already begun doing so, as Food Business News reported. Advertisement 'We've been leading the transformation of the industry now for a long time on sodium reduction, sugar reduction and better fats,' Laguarta said. 'Sixty percent-plus of our (portfolio) today doesn't have any artificial colors,' he said — and the company is 'undergoing that transition.' Laguarta cited examples such as Lay's and Tostitos, which 'will be out of artificial colors by the end of this year.' He added, 'So, we're well underway.' Advertisement RFK Jr. and Dr. Martin Makary, U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner, announced a ban on petroleum-based synthetic dyes from America's food supply last Tuesday. As the HHS noted in its news release, among the steps to be taken are 'establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.' 'Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings — Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B — within the coming months; and working with industry to eliminate 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.' 3 In an April 24 conference call, PepsiCo Inc. chair and chief executive officer, Ramon Laguarta, said the company will reduce artificial ingredients. jetcityimage – Advertisement 3 Food Business News reported that the company has already started doing so after the ban was placed on artificial ingredients by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tanvirshafi – Certified nutritionist and 'Make America Healthy Again' supporter Liana Werner-Gray told Fox News Digital, 'This is a huge win for public health and long overdue.' Werner-Gray is the author 'The Earth Diet,' which began as a blog about what she ate to help promote healing and remedy her health problems after she was diagnosed with cancer. The Earth Diet, she said, is 'all about going back to nature and eating foods from nature, eating real nutrition, eating foods that God provides us with naturally,' she told Fox News Digital. Advertisement 3 Laguarta said Lay's and Tostitos 'will be out of artificial colors by the end of this year.' billtster – 'I've personally eliminated artificial dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 and others from my diet over 16 years ago when I started The Earth Diet, living a natural lifestyle,' Werner-Gray said. She would suffer from frequent major mood swings, anxiety, skin breakouts and energy crashes, as well as strong impulsive urges to eat processed food, she said. 'Once I removed these dyes and switched to natural, whole-food-based alternatives, those symptoms went away, too,' Werner-Gray said, adding that her clients have reported similar outcomes. In Werner-Gray's opinion, the manipulation of food has gone on far too long, she said. 'This move by the FDA under Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary's leadership is a pivotal step toward restoring integrity in our food system,' she said. 'It's time we raise the standard. Clean, natural and nourishing food should be the norm, not a luxury.' Advertisement In the April 24 conference call, PepsiCo's CEO noted that its chips, puffs and other snacks are safe to consume and that the company stands by the existing science, according to reports. 'Every consumer will have the opportunity to choose what they prefer,' said Laguarta. Fox News Digital reached out to PepsiCo for additional comment.
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:
