RFK Jr to eliminate artificial dyes in food, medicines by 2026

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced on Tuesday that petroleum-based synthetic dyes will be eliminated from medications and the nation's food supply by the end of 2026. This includes those found in candy, soft drinks, desserts, breakfast cereals, and jams.

The agency said it would set a standard and deadline for the industry to transition to natural alternatives and take action to remove remaining colors from the market. The FDA intends to revoke authorization for dyes that are not in production within the coming weeks.

"Today, the FDA is taking action to remove petroleum-based food dyes from the US food supply and from medications," said Makary at a Tuesday press conference. "For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals. The scientific community has conducted a number of studies raising concerns about the correlation between petroleum-based synthetic dyes and several health conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, cancer, genomic disruption, GI issues, and allergic reactions.

Petroleum-based dyes are used to color food and medication products. 36 color additives and nine petroleum-based chemical dyes are currently permitted to be used in American cuisine by the FDA. In January, the agency announced that the Red 3 food dye used in candies, cakes, and medications would be banned in the coming years after it caused cancer in lab rats.

Health advocates have long advocated for the elimination of artificial food dyes, citing a varied body of research that suggests they may add to behavioral issues in children, such as hyperactivity and attention deficits, the AP reported.

In March, Kennedy met with executives of "Big Food" corporations, including PepsiCo, Kraft, Heinz, Tyson, General Mills, and Kellogg's, and informed them that certain artificial food dyes would be eliminated from the food supply in the next two years.

During the press brief, RFK Jr. said, "I was talking to my staff about these petroleum-based dyed, and I said if they want to eat petroleum, they ought to add it themselves at home. They shouldn't be feeding it to the rest of us."

While nominating Kennedy for the position, President Donald Trump said at the time: "The safety and health of all Americans is the most important role of any administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming health crisis in this country."