Latest news with #YellowDyeNo.5
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is Already Reshaping Your Spice Rack
Spice brand McCormick & Company announced in an earnings call that it is increasing efforts to reformulate products, as the United States Department of Health and Human Services targets food additives and dyes. Several states have already banned a number of food dyes and additives, and the Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of Red Dye No. 3. McCormick & Company may develop new products that align with health-focused food trends, like functional ingredients and high protein States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s influence is already being felt throughout the food industry in the United States, and you may soon see its impact on your spice drawer. In late March, McCormick & Company, one of the largest spice and seasoning brands in the world and a name that's likely in your own pantry, announced on an earnings call that it's working with its restaurant and food manufacturer clients to reformulate products, as customers move away from dyes and other food additives targeted by Kennedy and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). "We are seeing a tick-up in reformulation activity," Brendan Folly, the chief executive officer of McCormick & Company, shared on the call. According to Foley, this is happening across its customer base. Per the executive, this aligns with "what you're seeing and being written out in the news media regarding what we're hearing from the new administration." However, it's not just the HHS targeting food additives — individual states are taking action, too. In 2023, California passed a law banning four chemicals from food production: Red Dye No. 3, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, and propylparaben. All of these, with the exception of Red Dye No. 3 in a small number of candied and cocktail cherry products, are already banned from use in food across the European Union. "We know they are harmful and that children are likely being exposed at a much higher rate than adults," Susan Little, senior advocate for California government affairs at the activist organization Environmental Working Group (EWG), shared at the time. "It makes no sense that the same products food manufacturers sell in California are sold in the EU but without these toxic chemicals. Our kids need to be protected, too." Related: More Than 10,000 Chemical Food Additives Ended Up in the U.S. Food System — Here's Why In March of this year, West Virginia passed a similar law, banning the use of Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, and Green Dye No. 3, along with the preservatives butylated hydroxyanisole and propylparaben, from being used in drugs or food products sold in the state. As Food & Wine previously reported, the dyes will be barred from use in "any meal served in a school nutrition program" starting on August 1, 2025. The dyes and preservatives will be banned statewide starting January 1, 2028. "West Virginia ranks at the bottom of many public health metrics, which is why there's no better place to lead the Make America Healthy Again mission," Governor Patrick Morrisey shared in a statement about the law. "By eliminating harmful chemicals from our food, we're taking steps toward improving the health of our residents and protecting our children from significant long-term health and learning challenges." New York state is working on similar legislation, the New York Food Safety and Disclosure Act, which would not only ban specific chemicals, but also require companies to disclose 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS) additives on food packaging. Several other states have similar bills in the works, which consumers can track using the EWG's interactive legislation map. While McCormick & Company is working on reformulating products, the brand notes that only a small number of its goods contain food dyes. Foley explains on the earnings call, "We don't really have a lot of usage of color in our products as you might expect, at least very, very few overall. Now with respect to [changes to] formulations, we are seeing more activity on that, definitely." Related: States Are Cracking Down on Toxic Food Chemicals — Is Yours One of Them? In January, the Food and Drug Administration officially banned Red Dye No. 3 over concerns about its connection to cancer, noting that it must be removed from food products by mid-January 2027 and from ingested drugs in 2028. McCormick announced in March that it will be phasing the dye out of its products before the ban goes into effect. What can you expect from McCormick & Company moving forward? Foley hinted that the brand may soon launch new products to fit consumers' "healthier lifestyles" and align with growing trends like "hydration, functional foods, [and] high protein." Existing products are being reformulated, and consumers can expect new product releases to come. Read the original article on Food & Wine
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
These 7 Food Dyes Are Starting to Get Banned in States—Should You Still Eat Them?
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD"Key Takeaways" Food dyes like Red Dye No. 40 and Yellow Dye No. 5 are now banned in West Virginia. Foods containing these dyes won't be allowed in school lunches in the state starting August 1. A dietitian says that more research is needed on food dyes to determine health week, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed a bill that will prohibit seven food dyes in school lunches and in food items for sale across the state. The food dye ban in West Virginia schools will start August 1, 2025, and the ban will extend to retail food starting January 1, 2028. The following additives will be included in this ban: Red Dye No. 3 Red Dye No. 40 Yellow Dye No. 5 Yellow Dye No. 6 Blue Dye No. 1 Blue Dye No. 2 Green Dye No. 3 Some of these dyes are commonly found in breakfast cereals, soft drinks, dairy products, candy, jellies and even condiments and canned foods. It's safe to assume that these dyes are on the ingredient lists for thousands of products on the market. Related: Should You Worry About Food Dyes? Here's What Experts Say West Virginia isn't the only state to sign similar legislation. Last year, California banned six of the seven listed food dyes above from schools—and the one dye left out of their list, Red Dye No. 3, was officially banned by the FDA earlier this year. But why are these dyes being banned right now, and should we look for them on our labels? Is it time to avoid food dyes altogether? We asked our nutrition editor and registered dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD to explain. 'It's important to remember that most research done on food dyes is done on animals like mice or worms instead of on humans. And oftentimes, the animals are given a concentration of food dyes that wouldn't be realistic for a human to consume (think three or more times greater than the acceptable daily intake set by the FDA),' shares Ball. 'There is a growing body of research on the potential negative health effects of consuming ultra-processed foods in excess, but this is often related to things like added sugar, sodium and saturated fats rather than food dyes. The science does not suggest that food dyes are significant contributors to chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease or diabetes.' If you would like to avoid these dyes for personal reasons, that's understandable and you're free to do so. There are plenty of products and retailers like Trader Joe's that promise high quality dye-free foods. But because of the limited science and the lack of proof that these dyes can cause health concerns, this isn't a swap that you need to make. 'There are a lot of well-researched ways to support overall health, like maintaining a balanced eating pattern, regular physical activity, healthy lifestyle, social support, food access and creating a health-supportive environment,' explains Ball. 'These things are important to focus on when talking about improving public health, and they are supported by science. Claims about the health effects of food dyes are not evidence-backed in that same way.' Related: Why Is the California Prop 65 Warning Label on All of My Food Containers? Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Is the First State to Pass a Sweeping Ban on Synthetic Dyes and Preservatives in a Landmark Move
First Statewide Ban: A new law makes West Virginia the first state in the U.S. to prohibit several artificial food dyes and preservatives associated with health concerns. Health vs. Economy: Supporters argue that the ban will protect children from potential behavioral and learning issues, while critics warn it may raise grocery prices and limit food options. Nationwide Impact: With additional states contemplating similar bans, this move could accelerate broader food safety regulations across the Virginia has become the latest state to ban certain food dyes in the name of protecting its constituents. On Monday, Governor Patrick Morrisey signed into law House Bill 2354, which bans several major food dyes and two preservatives. 'West Virginia ranks at the bottom of many public health metrics, which is why there's no better place to lead the Make America Healthy Again mission,' Gov. Morrisey shared in a statement. 'By eliminating harmful chemicals from our food, we're taking steps toward improving the health of our residents and protecting our children from significant long-term health and learning challenges. Thank you to the Legislature, HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy, and the entire Trump Administration for helping us launch this movement right here in West Virginia.' The law bans the use of Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, and Green Dye No. 3, along with the preservatives butylated hydroxyanisole and propylparaben, from being used in drugs or food products sold in the state. The dyes will be banned from use in "any meal served in a school nutrition program" starting on August 1, 2025. Then, the dyes and the preservatives will be banned statewide starting January 1, 2028. Related: Are Natural Food Dyes Better? Experts Weigh In on the Pros and Cons It should be noted that Red Dye No. 3 was already banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year. As Food & Wine previously reported, Red Dye No. 3 must be removed from food products by mid-January 2027 and from ingested drugs by 2028. California also banned Red Dye No. 3, along with brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and propylparaben, in 2023. Since then, a flurry of other states have either enacted or are in the process of enacting similar legislation, which you can track using the Environmental Working Group's interactive map. But not everyone is on board with the idea of banning these ingredients, as it could make grocery bills skyrocket or some food items impossible to buy. 'West Virginia families will face higher food prices and a scarcity of available products in stores because this law effectively outlaws 60% of grocery store food items, "American Beverage President and CEO Kevin Keane shared in a press release. "West Virginians will be left with fewer choices because of what politicians in Charleston decided without any sound science behind them. Many good jobs will be lost. Businesses will close." However, for at least Red Dye No. 3, there is some sound science there, including a 2021 study by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, which found that many food dyes and colorants could make children more susceptible to behavioral difficulties. Related: These Foods Will Likely Get More Expensive After Trump's Tariffs Take Effect 'Many synthetic food dyes are allowed in food but haven't been reviewed for safety by the FDA in decades despite recent studies that have linked the chemicals to serious health problems,' Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, shared in a previous statement provided to Food & Wine. 'It's time for the FDA to catch up with the latest science and get these harmful chemicals out of our food.' With these new laws, it appears as though states are ready to sidestep the FDA completely to hasten the process. In January, Senator Brian Kavanagh (D-District 27) from New York state, along with Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles (D-District 125) introduced the New York Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act, a bill that — if passed — could not only ban certain chemicals, but would also 'amend the agriculture and markets law and the education law, in relation to prohibiting certain food additives and food color additives.' 'When we're at a federal deregulation time like we are now … there's never been a better time for the states and cities to take action,' Jennifer L. Pomeranz, an associate professor of public health policy and management at NYU, shared during a panel discussion about the bill. 'Although it's actually always been a great time for states and cities to take action because they can do things that can protect us." Read the original article on Food & Wine
