Washington – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, on Tuesday announced a plan to prohibit synthetic food dyes that color daily snack items such as Flamin 'Hot Cheetos and M&M.
The first step in the plan is that the United States drug and food administration revokes the authorization of Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B.
After that, said the Department of Health and Human Services, will work with the industry to eliminate six oil -based food dyes: Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.
California approved a law that prohibits those six dyes last year, citing damage to development and behavior in children. The state law will enter into force at the end of 2027.
On the other hand, the FDA encourages the use of the so -called natural food dyes, such as Gardenia blue and calcium phosphate. “Does Red Dye? Try watermelon juice or beet juice,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, at the media event, holding a cheese of crimson liquid.
Tuesday's announcement is destined to stimulate the food dye industry to cooperate to eliminate those dyes at the end of next year, according to the department.
“Let's start in a friendly way and see if we can do this without legal or regulatory changes,” Makary said. “They want to do it.”
Makary pointed out in the event that he worked with government officials in California to develop these proposed federal changes.
Food dyes have been under scrutiny for years, since consumer defense groups have said that they contain additives harmful to humans. In January, the FDA prohibited the red dye. 3-Use in articles as common as fruit tail cherries and Nesquik's strawberry milk, after some studies showed that the additive increased cancer risk in some laboratory animals.
According to Kennedy's mission to eliminate synthetic food dyes as soon as possible, the department's announcement also requires that food companies get rid of the non -red. 3 In its products before the previously agreed UPON deadline. (California prohibited the use of network 3 in 2023; that law is also in force in 2027).
Kennedy has blamed food additives for countless health problems. His supporters announced the announcement on Tuesday as an important step in the secretary's movement to “make the United States again healthy.” A Gallup survey last year found that 28% of respondents did not have much confidence in the federal government capacity to ensure that the food supply is safe. Additional 14% had no confidence at all.
“The industry is making money to stay sick,” Kennedy said in the announcement.
