“Growing Movement to Ban Harmful Food Dyes Gains Traction with Support from RFK Jr.”
The FDA has given the green light to 36 color additives, which include nine artificial dyes used in food and drinks. A nationwide effort to prohibit synthetic dyes in food is gaining momentum, with opponents of these dyes asserting that it’s not a question of if, but when. States such as West Virginia have credited the Make America Healthy Again initiative, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as a major driving force. Concerns raised by parents and certain scientists about the potential link between dyes and behavioral issues in children have also contributed to this movement, an association that the FDA acknowledges but has yet to confirm.
In the first quarter of this year, 20 states—such as Oklahoma, West Virginia, and New York—have introduced nearly 40 bills aimed at regulating artificial dyes and other food additives, marking the highest number of such bills in any year, according to the Environmental Working Group, a food safety advocacy organization. Brandon Cawood, an advocate for eliminating food dyes, expressed optimism about this progress, noting the introduction of bills in various states like Oklahoma, Utah, Tennessee, Florida, New York, Texas, and Arizona.
These artificial dyes, which include Red No. 3 among others, have been approved by the FDA for use in foods and beverages. Widely used in products targeted at children, such as candy, breakfast cereals, and soda, these dyes are known for their vivid colors that attract consumers.
Recently, West Virginia passed a bill banning seven synthetic dyes, including Red No. 40 and Green No. 3, with the law set to come into effect in 2028 pending the governor’s approval. This move follows California’s decision last year to ban six dyes from food served in public schools. Arizona lawmakers are also considering a bill that would prohibit public schools from offering or selling foods containing certain chemicals, including artificial dyes.
Kennedy’s initiative to eradicate artificial dyes is gaining traction, marking a significant shift during this election cycle. The movement, which dates back to the 1970s when the FDA first began investigating a possible connection between dyes and children’s behavior issues, has been further fueled by studies indicating increased hyperactivity in kids due to artificial dyes. While the FDA has reviewed data on this topic in 2011 and 2019 and found no direct link for children without existing behavioral disorders, experts are calling for more research. The FDA has yet to comment on this matter. The agency has emphasized that it will continue to assess the impact of color additives.
Discussions on children’s behavior have sparked debates surrounding the use of food dyes, with government officials and outside groups raising concerns despite the FDA not establishing a direct link. West Virginia state Del. Evan Worrell emphasized the importance of reforming school food to address behavioral issues, acknowledging the potential role of food dyes as a contributing factor. FDA oversight, including claims from officials like Kennedy, has pointed to studies suggesting a connection between dyes and hyperactivity in children.
Kennedy aims to remove artificial dyes from the nation’s food supply, urging major food companies to comply before the end of his term. However, financial and resource constraints under the current administration raise doubts about the feasibility of this initiative. Various dyes approved by the FDA, such as Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, are commonly used in a range of food products.
Critics of the FDA’s slow response to regulating artificial dyes argue that states and local groups have taken the lead in addressing this issue, with comparisons drawn to stricter regulations in European countries. Nevertheless, decisions to ban specific chemicals must be grounded in solid scientific evidence, as demonstrated by the FDA’s action against Red No. 3 due to cancer concerns in animal studies.
While research suggests a potential link between certain dyes and behavioral changes in children, conclusive evidence remains elusive, complicating regulatory efforts. Challenges in conducting studies on humans make it difficult to establish definitive causation, leading to prolonged deliberations within the FDA. Industry representatives emphasize a commitment to food safety but criticize disjointed state-level regulations, advocating for a unified approach to avoid consumer confusion and increased costs.
Experts caution that food companies may face mounting pressure to phase out synthetic dyes, especially as these additives offer no preservation or nutritional benefits. Transitioning to natural color alternatives, already implemented in other countries, is seen as a viable solution despite concerns about associated costs.
Nestle mentioned that some companies have made attempts to remove artificial dyes from their products in the past, without success. In 2016, Mars announced a plan to eliminate artificial dyes from all its products but later reneged on this commitment in 2021, citing differing consumer expectations on food colors across markets and categories. General Mills also transitioned to natural dyes in its cereals in 2016 but reverted back to artificial colors a year later due to consumer feedback that the new colors were unappealing.
Nestle questioned the necessity of artificial dyes, emphasizing their purely cosmetic function. She proposed adopting the European precautionary principle of only using substances whose safety can be proven. Wendy Bakos, a 34-year-old from Florida, made the decision to switch her two children, Harper (7) and Caden (3), away from artificial dyes about a year ago, citing concerns about potential health issues. She joined a Facebook group of families who had made a similar transition for resources and recipes. Finding dye-free candy that her children enjoyed, especially Harper, proved to be the most challenging aspect of the change. However, they discovered alternatives like the brand Unreal and dye-free options at Trader Joe’s.
Similarly, Liz Dent, a 36-year-old from Humboldt, Iowa, found few obstacles when she stopped purchasing foods with dyes for her children Evelyn (9) and Ella (6), with their family having been dye-free since 2021. Dent packs dye-free candies, suckers, and fruit snacks for her children’s school lunches and always has juice boxes and popsicles on hand. The main difficulty for her was navigating events like birthday parties, where she had to bring their own food due to the lack of dye-free options available.
Both Bakos and Dent have found ways to navigate their families’ dye-free lifestyles, ensuring their children’s well-being while facing challenges like finding suitable alternatives and managing social events where dye-free options are limited.
