Robert F. Kennedy Jr announces nationwide ban on artificial food and drink dyes in the U.S

The United States is moving to ban eight widely used artificial food dyes in an effort to help Americans “know what’s in their food”, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr confirmed on Tuesday.

According to officials, two petroleum-based synthetic dyes will be phased out in the coming weeks, with the remaining six set to be removed from food products by the end of 2026.

These dyes, commonly found in cereals, sweets, snacks and soft drinks, have been linked to neurological issues in some children.

To help food manufacturers adjust, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will approve four new natural colour additives in the coming weeks.

“Americans don’t know what they’re eating,” Kennedy said during a press conference.

While campaigning alongside Donald Trump last year, Kennedy pledged to crack down on artificial dyes and ultra-processed foods.

On Tuesday, he expanded on that promise, saying he intends to target “every ingredient, additive, to food in school that we can legally address.”

Many artificially coloured foods contain synthetic, petroleum-based chemicals, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a nutrition-focused nonprofit.

These dyes are present in numerous household-name products, including M&M’s, Gatorade, Kool-Aid and Skittles.

“For the last 50 years, American children have been increasingly living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

He acknowledged the move is not a “silver bullet” but described it as “one important step” in improving children’s health.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stated that the FDA will soon revoke approval for Red No 2 and Orange B.

By the end of next year, six more synthetic dyes—FD&C Green No 3, FD&C Red No 40, FD&C Yellow No 5, FD&C Yellow No 6, FD&C Blue No 1 and FD&C Blue No 2—will also be withdrawn from circulation.

“The only purpose of artificial food dyes is to make food companies money,” said Dr Peter Lurie, CSPI president and a former FDA official.

“Food dyes help make ultra-processed foods more attractive, especially to children, often by masking the absence of a colourful ingredient, like fruit. We don’t need synthetic dyes in the food supply, and no one will be harmed by their absence.”

In Canada, for instance, Kellogg uses natural colouring from carrots and watermelon juice in Froot Loops cereal—while continuing to use artificial dyes in the U.S.

Kennedy’s initiative has recently gained traction at the state level. Last month, West Virginia introduced its own ban on synthetic dyes and preservatives, and similar legislation has been proposed in several other states.