The FDA and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have decided to phase out a specific food dye used in their production.
Customers have been exposed to it for decades in other favourites such as Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and Mountain Dew Baja Blast, according to CNBC.
On Tuesday, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated that the use of the “harmful” food dye will be discontinued.
This includes Red Dye 40, which is commonly used in sports drinks, chips, cereals, and other products to give them a colourful appearance that appeals to customers.
“For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals,” he stated during a press conference.
Makary cited a study from The Lancet science journal that discovered that artificial colours could “result in increased hyperactivity” in children when consumed.
The FDA commissioner also acknowledged that while the removal of the dye was a significant first step towards improving the health of America’s children, it was not a “silver bullet” that would solve all problems.
“The F in FDA stands for food,” Makary explained.
“Now, there’s no one ingredient that accounts for the child chronic disease epidemic.”
“And let’s be honest, taking petroleum-based food dyes out of the food supply is not a silver bullet that will instantly make America’s children healthy, but it is one important step,” the politician said.
Kennedy has also been vocal about the removal of artificial dyes, stating last month that it is a critical issue for the Trump administration while speaking with executives from some of the world’s leading food and beverage companies.
CEOs from General Mills, Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo North America, JM Smucker, Tyson Foods, WK Kellogg, and the Consumer Brands Association all attended Kennedy’s meeting.
Kennedy specifically cited Kellogg’s Froot Loops as an example of a product that contains a significant amount of artificial colourants.
These companies will have to devote significant time to changing recipes.
It’s unclear whether the dye removal will have a significant financial impact.
ADJUSTMENTS MADE
It is also not the first time that recipes have had to be modified due to artificial colourants.
According to CNBC, Kraft Heinz decided to change the recipe for its boxed mac and cheese in 2015 after consumer advocates pushed back.
It chose to use the natural colours found in its European version.
Some other companies have removed dyes only to reintroduce them into products a few years later.
After removing artificial colouring from Trix cereal, General Mills resumed putting the dyes in boxes in 2017.
Prior to the Trump administration taking office in January, the FDA had also revoked authorisation for the use of Red No. 3, another red food dye.
The FDA discovered that the dye caused cancer in laboratory animals, but it remained approved for years because scientists did not determine whether humans were at risk for the amount typically consumed.
CONTINUED CHANGES
In any case, Kennedy’s management of America’s federal health agencies continues to result in significant changes.
According to the Associated Press, he announced last month that approximately 10,000 full-time employees across various departments would be laid off.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also cutting funding for offices that conduct HIV prevention programmes and focus on healthcare disparities among Americans.
The FDA suspended a quality control programme for dairy products.
This year, the FDA has also been working to address the egg shortage caused by the H5N1 bird flu virus.
The administration recalled at least six popular kitchen products earlier this month.
