Food companies are under significant scrutiny regarding their ingredients due to concerns raised by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the broader “Make America Healthy Again” movement, which identifies synthetic dyes as a major factor contributing to chronic diseases and childhood obesity. Critics contend that these food dyes may lead to behavioral issues in children, increase cancer risks, and promote overeating by making food appear more vibrant and appealing. In Europe, products containing these dyes are required to carry warning labels indicating they “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary highlighted the severity of the issue in a press conference, stating, “America’s children are sick and suffering,” and referred to the dyes as “a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals.” However, the FDA’s recent announcement does not implement a comprehensive ban, leaving some food and health advocates disappointed and calling for stronger measures. Dr. Peter G. Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, emphasized that the FDA is only prohibiting “two rarely used dyes” while primarily depending on voluntary commitments from an “unspecified fraction” of the industry. He expressed hope for Kennedy and Makary’s efforts to eliminate these unnecessary and harmful dyes from the food supply but cautioned that relying on voluntary compliance has historically been ineffective.
The announcement to phase out petroleum-based dyes aligns with a growing trend among states to eliminate artificial colors. Last month, West Virginia enacted a law restricting seven artificial dyes in food products sold within the state, and several other states are introducing similar bills regarding food additives, as noted by the Environmental Working Group. Additionally, food companies are feeling pressure from consumers; for example, WK Kellogg Co faced protests at its headquarters over the past year from consumers urging the company to remove dyes from products like Froot Loops.
Kennedy, who has engaged with major food industry players such as Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, and General Mills earlier this year about eliminating synthetic colors from their supply chains, remarked that the industry has “come to the table” to prevent a fragmented set of regulations across states. “These bans have given us leverage to make demands of food companies,” he stated. “We have them on the run now. And we are going to win this battle.”
Industry groups have indicated their intention to comply with the new policies. The International Dairy Foods Association, representing dairy companies, announced a voluntary commitment to phase out artificial colors from products sold to schools by the 2026-2027 school year. Similarly, the National Confectioners Association stated that U.S. candy makers will “continue to follow regulatory guidance from the authorities in this space, because consumer safety is our chief responsibility and priority.”
Despite the apparent readiness of food companies to comply, the industry insists that artificial dyes have undergone thorough studies by regulatory agencies and are supported by peer-reviewed scientific research. The Consumer Brands Association, which includes major companies like Kellogg and Coca-Cola, emphasized that these ingredients are safe and that the policy changes aim to reduce consumer confusion amid an increasing number of state laws. Consumer Brands President and CEO Melinice Hockstad remarked, “We appreciate that the administration has reasserted their leadership in response to the myriad of state activity in the food regulation space.” He warned that a patchwork of varying state laws creates confusion for consumers, restricts access to everyday goods, stifles innovation, and raises grocery costs.
Transitioning away from artificial colors presents significant challenges and costs. The International Association of Color Manufacturers, which represents producers of both natural and synthetic dyes, noted that such bans will pose new obstacles for food manufacturers, as replacing dyes with natural alternatives is not a straightforward process. “Overcoming the challenges created by a nonscientific mandate, including production hurdles, technical limitations, supply chain restraints, increased need for quality control, higher costs, and regulatory inconsistencies, will take more than five years, if not an entire generation,” the association stated in response to West Virginia’s ban.
Sean McBride, founder of DSM Strategic Communications, criticized the policy for disrupting years of science-based decision-making and predicted it would increase costs for the food industry without improving health outcomes. “Disruption for disruption’s sake is not a viable strategy when it comes to public health,” McBride stated in an email to Food Dive. “Like Alice in Wonderland, food companies must now learn to operate in an upside-down regulatory world that subjugates due diligence and rational decision-making to the exercise of raw administrative authority.”
In this evolving landscape, there is a growing interest in nutritional solutions, such as the best calcium citrate for bariatric patients, as consumers seek healthier alternatives in their diets. As food companies navigate these regulatory changes, the focus on health and wellness continues to influence consumer choices and industry practices.