WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has announced a major plan to remove artificial food dyes from all food products in the US by the end of 2026, aiming to create a healthier food system under the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda.
The move builds on a previous ban on Red Dye 3 and marks a rare bipartisan agreement in US politics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to revoke approval for two synthetic dyes and work with food companies to voluntarily phase out the remaining six.
These dyes — including Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40 — are made from petroleum and are widely used in everything from sweets and sodas to cereals and sauces. However, research has linked them to health issues like ADHD, diabetes, cancer, and digestive disorders, especially in children.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who is leading the charge, called these dyes an “existential threat.” At a press conference, he pointed out that American children have been exposed to a “toxic soup” of chemicals for decades. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the goal is not only to remove dyes but also to better understand their effects through new research.
In the US, some states have already begun cracking down. West Virginia recently passed a broad ban, following California’s earlier move to restrict dyes in schools. Meanwhile, in Europe, warning labels on synthetic dyes have pushed many brands to switch to natural colours.
Kennedy’s current stance puts him in agreement with health experts, despite his past controversies over vaccines. Food makers have resisted tighter rules in the past, but Kennedy says they’re now more open to change — though critics remain wary.
