Additional Coverage:
- Say Goodbye to Your Favorite Snacks: These Popular Foods Have Ingredients RFK Jr. Wants to Ban (momswhothink.com)
HHS Secretary Kennedy Jr. Targets Food Dyes
In April 2025, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. announced his intention to collaborate with the food industry to eliminate eight petroleum-based synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026. This move follows the FDA’s revocation of authorization for Red Dye No. 3 in January 2025, with plans to phase out the remaining seven by the end of the following year.
These include 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, among others.
This isn’t entirely new territory for food manufacturers. General Mills, for example, attempted to remove artificial dyes from its cereals in 2015, releasing a “natural” Trix cereal.
However, the original, brightly colored version returned to shelves in 2017 due to customer demand. While not all consumers embrace these changes, the trend toward natural color additives continues.
Why the Focus on Food Dyes?
The safety of artificial food dyes has been a topic of debate for years, particularly because some are banned in other countries. While the FDA has approved their use, Kennedy Jr. cites concerns such as a lack of nutritional value, potential links to behavioral problems in children, possible connections to chronic health issues, and the promotion of unhealthy processed food consumption. Although evidence is sometimes mixed, there’s a consensus that ultra-processed foods should be consumed sparingly.
Foods Likely to be Affected
While many companies are already transitioning to natural alternatives like Galdieria extract blue and butterfly pea flower extract, numerous products still contain synthetic dyes. Here are some examples:
- Fruit Snacks: These gummy treats, often marketed as “made with real fruit,” frequently contain dyes like Red 40 and Blue 1.
- Cereal: Many popular children’s cereals, such as Froot Loops, Lucky Charms, and Cap’n Crunch, may be affected.
- Pickles: Surprisingly, some pickle brands use Yellow 5 (tartrazine) for flavor enhancement.
- Chips: Snacks like Doritos and Cheetos often include artificial colors.
- Yogurt: Many yogurt varieties, especially those aimed at children, utilize synthetic dyes.
- Oatmeal: Some instant oatmeal brands incorporate artificial colors.
- Protein Bars: Certain protein and granola bars contain artificial dyes.
- Colored Frosting and Frosted Treats: Store-bought frosting, frosted cookies, cupcakes, and sprinkled treats often contain synthetic dyes.
- Jell-O: Both Jell-O mix and pre-made cups frequently contain artificial colors.
- Candy: Candies like M&Ms, Skittles, and candy corn are prime examples of treats with synthetic dyes.