Dyed-in-the-Diet No Longer: MAHA Scores Win in Striking Dangerous Additives from Food Supply

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda is moving forward with a new road map announced this week for phasing out synthetic, petroleum-based food dyes from the nation’s food supply.

[RELATED: FDA Bans Cancer-Linked Food Dye Ahead Of RFK Jr’s Confirmation Hearing…]

“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 without out knowledge or consent,” said Sec. Kennedy during a Tuesday press conference.

“We are going to get rid of the dyes, and one by one we’re going to get rid of every ingredient and additive in food that we can legally address,” he added.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release detailing their new efforts to phase out petroleum-based food dyes, which account for the majority of artificial dyes used in the U.S.

The FDA will establish a national timeline for a transition to natural dyes and is initiating the process for revoking approval for two synthetic dyes, Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B.

The Trump Administration previously banned the synthetic Red No. 3 dye, effective by 2027-2028, from the food supply shortly before Kennedy was confirmed because the dye has long been linked to cancer. The FDA is now requesting that companies phase out the carcinogenic dye prior to the deadline.

In addition to the two new dye bans, the FDA’s plan includes working with food companies to eliminate six other synthetic dyes by the end of 2026. The agency provided scant details on the penalties that companies not complying with the apparently voluntary 2026 deadline will face, or how they will be incentivized to comply.

“We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD. Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

The fight against artificial food dyes comes along with the approval, in the coming weeks, of four natural dye alternatives to which food manufacturers can transition.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will partner with the HHS and FDA to conduct a comprehensive study of the health and developmental impacts of synthetic dyes on children.