Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed head of a $1.7 trillion federal agency overseeing food and tobacco products, vaccines, and other medicines, is leading a significant shift in American food policy. Kennedy’s message to the FDA was loud and clear— we need to get artificial dyes out of our food supply now. He called this initiative the administration’s number one priority. This bold initiative has captured the imagination of top food industry executives and health advocates.
Since being sworn into office just two months ago, Kennedy has already taken bold steps to reset the direction of our nation’s federal public health agencies. His platform To Make America Healthy Again focuses the fight on a corrupt alliance. He argues that the cozy relationship between pharmaceutical and agricultural companies and federal regulatory agencies is destroying the health of Americans.
Focus on Chronic Disease and the Food Industry
Kennedy has set an ambitious goal to end the chronic disease epidemic affecting both children and adults in the United States. He has been especially outspoken on the need to put produce above pills in order to do so. In giving examples of this common misstep, he likes to point to Kellogg’s Froot Loops. This further amplifies the risks posed by artificial colorants in food products.
“The F in FDA stands for food,” – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
In a private meeting with those food executives, Kennedy pressed them to remove highly controversial, petroleum-based food dyes. He contended that this move was long overdue and an essential step toward protecting public health. He made sure to note that this shift will not be a “silver bullet” for immediate health gains. Still, this is an important step in the right direction. This provision will have an important impact on a number of large food companies. Almost every major food corporation – PepsiCo, General Mills, Mars, WK Kellogg – will be directly impacted.
These are big and vital changes, as FDA Commissioner Marty Makary recently told us. He cited a meta-analysis published in The Lancet which found that artificial dyes in foods were associated with increased hyperactivity among children. As Makary specifically pointed out, these dyes are known to induce cancer in lab animals. Nevertheless, manufacturers were allowed to use them until just recently as a result of outdated scientific assessments of their safety for human consumption.
Corporate Efforts to Reformulate Products
Kennedy credits her drive to change the food system. His goals align perfectly with the longtime commitments of numerous companies who are working to remove artificial colors and reduce sodium in their products. Brendan Foley, the new CEO of McCormick, is personally witnessing a movement within corporations. They are greatly increasing their reformulation efforts to meet the demands of consumers for healthier options.
“Now, reformulation activity has always been a part of the work that we do with our customer base, and we’ve been doing that for quite some time, but we are seeing a tick up in reformulation activity,” – Brendan Foley.
This movement toward natural coloring agents has been a trend seen in the last couple of years. In 2015, Kraft Heinz changed their formula to mac and cheese. To accomplish this, they introduced natural colors, like those seen in their European line of products. Progress came to a stop when General Mills decided to renege. In 2017, the company reintroduced artificial colors to Trix cereal and returned it to grocery store shelves.
In January 2023, the FDA took an audacious step. They recently revoked authorization for Red No. 3, a once-popular red dye found in various foods and drinks. This decision is emblematic of the rising awareness and concern about the safety of synthetic additives incorporated into consumer products.
For generations, our children have been subjected to a wave of synthetic chemicals. Makary’s observations on this toxic exposure underscore the urgency of Kennedy’s mission.
“For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” – Marty Makary.
The effort to ban artificial dyes addresses these public health concerns perfectly. Most importantly, it responds to rising consumer demand for more transparency and food safety in the marketplace. Kennedy is currently running for president on a platform that includes support for healthier food systems. We can’t wait to see how his efforts continue to resnaggelize the snack and meal American landscape.
What The Author Thinks
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s focus on eliminating artificial dyes from food highlights a critical and overdue shift toward prioritizing public health. The impact of synthetic chemicals on children’s health cannot be ignored, and Kennedy’s stance on addressing these issues directly aligns with rising consumer demand for transparency in food production. His leadership is pushing for a more health-conscious approach to food regulation, and if successful, could inspire significant changes in the way food manufacturers operate, prioritizing public well-being over profit.
Featured image credit: Wikimedia Commons
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