RFK Jr. Presses Food Giants to Eliminate Artificial Dyes

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is urging major food companies, including PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz, to eliminate artificial food dyes from their products as part of his 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative. During a recent meeting with industry executives, Kennedy emphasized that removing these additives is a priority, indicating he would take regulatory action if companies do not proactively address the issue. The Consumer Brands Association reported that Kennedy aims for 'real and transformative' change and wants to establish a federal framework to regulate food dyes, avoiding a confusing patchwork of state laws. This initiative aligns with a growing public health movement advocating for healthier, more transparent food options, particularly in light of studies linking artificial dyes to health risks in children. While Kennedy's broader health views are controversial, the effort to eliminate harmful ingredients has garnered bipartisan support. However, some of his other targeted ingredients, like seed oils, lack consensus among nutrition experts.