THE MIRROR – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has announced the Food and Drug Administration’s intent to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation’s food supply – and its coloring used in many common foods.
The Trump administration says the move to eliminate synthetic dyes from the food supply by the end of next year could mark a “major step forward” in the drive to “Make America Healthy Again.”
The ban would impact products such as breakfast cereals, candy and snacks. The dyes been tied to neurological problems in some children.
“We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said.
“Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children.”
“Then there are the food police—the people who can’t help but ask, ‘Should you be eating that?’” – diabetes.org
Makary told reporters later that the food industry is “eager to do this.”
Here are the dyes up on the chopping block and what they’re commonly found in:
- Red No. 40 – Pepsi Blue, Starburst and medication NyQuil.
- Citrus Red No. 2 – Used to color the skin of some oranges
- Yellow No. 6 – Airheads and cosmetic products including Bobbi Brown and MAC lipstick.
- Yellow No. 5 – Mountain Dew and Doritos
- Blue No. 1 – Blue Takis chips and MAC eyeshadow
- Blue No. 2 – Oxycodone and a common bakery McCormick food dye.
- Green No. 3 – Advil Liquid-gels and Lush’s blackberry bath bomb
Recent research shows synthetic food colors found in U.S. foods are linked to neurobehavioral problems in children and that the dyes may cause or exacerbate symptoms, particularly hyperactivity. In addition, children may vary widely in their sensitivity to the dyes …
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“A government that tries to give too much advice or make too many laws about how people should live their lives, especially about eating, smoking, or drinking alcohol.”
