The Trump administration plans to remove petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary will announce the plan on Tuesday. Kennedy has previously stated that these dyes are linked to behavioral problems in children. The FDA has approved 36 color additives, including nine petroleum-based synthetic dyes. Red No. 3, for example, has been banned due to cancer risks and food companies have until 2027 to remove it.
Marion Nestle, a professor at NYU, supports the removal of these dyes, pointing out that they have been banned in other countries. Jerold Mande, a professor at Harvard, believes that food dyes contribute to overeating and obesity, which can lead to cancer. While the FDA has not confirmed a link between dyes and behavioral issues, some research suggests a connection. Despite this, several states are taking steps to eliminate artificial dyes, with West Virginia and California passing laws to ban certain dyes.
Kennedy’s efforts have received support from some states and consumer groups, but the food industry has not yet responded to requests for comment on the plan. The FDA has been investigating the potential link between dyes and behavioral issues since the 1970s, without establishing a causal relationship. Overall, the plan to remove synthetic dyes from the food supply is gaining momentum, with concerns about their impact on health and behavior.
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