Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to unveil a significant policy change that would prohibit certain artificial food dyes in the United States. The initiative, described as a major health reform, is set to be formally announced during a press conference on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
While the agency has not disclosed a specific timeline for the ban’s implementation, it confirmed on Monday that Kennedy plans to phase out synthetic dyes derived from petroleum. This action is being promoted as a “major step forward in the Administration’s efforts to Make America Healthy Again,” as stated by HHS.
These synthetic dyes are commonly found in a wide range of food products, including candies, beverages, breakfast cereals, and snacks. Scientific studies have linked these artificial additives to neurological issues in some children, raising public health concerns about their widespread use.
The plan aligns with promises Kennedy made during last year’s presidential campaign alongside Donald Trump, where he vowed to combat the proliferation of artificial food dyes and heavily processed food products if appointed to lead the nation’s top health agency.
This announcement follows a related move earlier this year by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which declared that Red Dye 3 would be banned from food and pharmaceutical products in the U.S. starting in 2027. The decision was based on research showing that the dye caused cancer in animal studies. The state of California had already enacted a ban on the same dye in 2023.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a nonprofit focused on nutrition advocacy, has long raised concerns about the health risks of petroleum-based dyes. According to CSPI, most artificial colorings used in processed foods are derived from synthetic chemicals made from petroleum.
Examples of these synthetic dyes include Blue 1, which is often used in baked goods and candy; Red 40, found in soft drinks, candy, pastries, and even pet foods; and Yellow 6, another additive frequently used in baked items and beverages. These substances are ingredients in many familiar and widely consumed products such as Skittles, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, and M&M’s.
CSPI President Dr. Peter Lurie, who previously served as an FDA official, was critical of the role these dyes play in the modern food supply. “The only purpose of the artificial food dyes is to make food companies money,” said Dr. Lurie. He argued that the dyes serve no nutritional value and primarily function to make processed foods appear more appealing, especially to young consumers.
“Food dyes help make ultra-processed foods more attractive, especially to children, often by masking the absence of a colorful ingredient, like fruit,” he explained. “We don’t need synthetic dyes in the food supply, and no one will be harmed by their absence.”
Dr. Lurie’s criticism is echoed by Marion Nestle, a former professor of nutrition at New York University, who noted that major food companies have already demonstrated the ability to eliminate synthetic dyes in countries with stricter regulations.
For instance, in Canada, Kellogg uses natural ingredients such as carrot juice and watermelon juice to color Froot Loops cereal, a stark contrast to the artificial dyes used in the same product marketed in the United States. Nestle pointed out this discrepancy as evidence that removing synthetic dyes is a feasible and relatively simple transition for food manufacturers.
She also weighed in on the ongoing debate about the safety of these dyes. “They clearly cause behavioural problems for some – but by no means all – children, and are associated with cancer and other diseases in animal studies,” said Nestle. While not all children are affected, the risks observed in laboratory animals and anecdotal cases among children have been enough to prompt precautionary action.
“Enough questions have been raised about their safety to justify getting rid of them, especially because it’s no big deal to do so,” she added. “Plenty of non-petroleum alternative dyes exist and are in use.”
Historically, other nations have already taken steps to restrict or eliminate artificial food colorings. In 2008, the United Kingdom’s health ministry decided to begin phasing out six synthetic food colorings, completing the transition by 2009. The European Union also enforces a series of regulations that include outright bans on certain dyes and mandatory warning labels on others that remain in circulation.
In the United States, Kennedy’s national push against artificial dyes is beginning to gain momentum at the state level. Just last month, West Virginia implemented a ban on synthetic dyes and preservatives in food products. Similar legislative efforts are now being introduced in various other statehouses, signaling a growing bipartisan interest in reforming food safety regulations.
Kennedy’s campaign to eliminate synthetic food dyes may ultimately reshape the American food landscape, bringing the country’s food safety standards more in line with those in Europe and other parts of the world. His effort underscores a broader public health initiative to reduce exposure to potentially harmful additives and prioritize transparency and natural ingredients in the food supply.
At Tuesday’s press conference, further details regarding the planned timeline and scope of the ban are expected. While it remains unclear how soon the policy will be enforced, the announcement has already sparked dialogue among public health experts, food manufacturers, and policymakers.
With public awareness around processed foods and their additives increasing, Kennedy’s move may set the tone for future health reforms under his leadership. Whether through federal regulation or state legislation, the initiative represents a turning point in the ongoing debate over what constitutes safe and responsible food production in America.
As more information becomes available, industry stakeholders and health advocates alike will be watching closely to see how this policy unfolds and what it could mean for food production, labeling, and consumer choice across the nation.
