RFK Jr. to Ban Eight Artificial Food Dyes in U.S. by 2028/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ RFK Jr. and FDA plan to eliminate eight artificial food dyes. Change will affect hundreds of food products across the U.S. Move follows health concerns, mirrors policies in Europe and Canada.
RFK Jr.’s Food Dye Ban: Quick Looks
- Eight Dyes to Be Phased Out: U.S. to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic colors used in popular foods.
- Major Regulatory Shift: FDA to announce roadmap for removal, impacting food manufacturing nationwide.
- Health Risks Cited: Some studies link dyes to behavioral issues like hyperactivity in children.
- Red 3 Already Banned: FDA previously moved to ban Red 3 due to cancer concerns in lab animals.
- Natural Alternatives Expected: Food makers will likely replace artificial dyes with plant-based colors.
- Global Differences Noted: Europe and Canada already limit or label artificial dyes.
- State Legislation Leads the Way: California and West Virginia already banned dyes from school meals.
- Aligned with Kennedy’s Health Agenda: Initiative is part of RFK Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” plan.
RFK Jr. to Ban Eight Artificial Food Dyes in U.S. by 2028
Deep Look
WASHINGTON – April 22, 2025 — In a major push toward healthier food regulation, U.S. health officials plan to phase out eight synthetic food dyes from the American food supply. The move, spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, marks one of the most sweeping changes to U.S. food policy in years.
Kennedy and Makary are expected to formally announce the ban at a Tuesday afternoon press conference, outlining a plan that aligns with Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
The FDA’s phase-out will target petroleum-based color additives currently found in thousands of food products — from candies and cereals to baked goods and beverages. Though widely used in the United States, these dyes have faced increasing scrutiny over their potential links to neurobehavioral issues in children, such as hyperactivity and attention disorders.
The Regulatory Roadmap
The proposed phase-out won’t happen overnight. Instead, it will follow a structured regulatory process that includes public comment, scientific review, and a final rule. Food manufacturers will likely be given time to reformulate products using natural alternatives like beet juice, turmeric, and spirulina extract.
The FDA currently allows 36 color additives, eight of which are synthetic. In January, the agency already announced a ban on Red 3 — commonly found in cake decorations, candies, and even over-the-counter medications — due to its cancer-causing effects in lab animals. That ban is set to take effect by 2028.
International Contrast
The U.S. lags behind Canada and the European Union, where artificial colors are either banned or require warning labels. As a result, many multinational food manufacturers already produce dye-free versions of their products for overseas markets.
“We’re simply asking U.S. companies to meet the same standards they already comply with abroad,” said a senior FDA official involved in drafting the phase-out rules.
A National Movement Gains Steam
States like California and West Virginia have already begun to act independently, passing laws that ban synthetic dyes from school lunches and in some cases the wider food supply. These state-level actions have created a patchwork of regulations that many food industry groups hoped the FDA would eventually standardize.
What’s Next?
Tuesday’s announcement is expected to ignite a wave of reformulation efforts from major U.S. food producers. Experts anticipate that products from leading brands like Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, and Mars Inc. will need to be reengineered for compliance with the new rules — a process that could take several years.
“This move is about aligning science with public health policy,” Kennedy said in a statement ahead of the press conference. “We have a responsibility to protect our children and families from ingredients that serve no nutritional purpose and carry unnecessary risk.”
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