The Blubber

The Trump administration is preparing to take steps to remove artificial food dyes from the U.S. food supply, according to a media advisory issued Monday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary are scheduled to provide further details on the initiative Tuesday, the advisory said.

Earlier this year, while former President Joe Biden was still in office, the FDA banned red dye No. 3 from use in foods, beverages, and ingested medications—more than three decades after research linked the dye to cancer in animals.

The current administration now appears ready to take broader action against synthetic, petroleum-based dyes commonly used to enhance the appearance of foods and drinks.

In March, Kennedy joined West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey to support newly enacted legislation banning certain synthetic food dyes. West Virginia became the first state to implement a comprehensive ban on these dyes, which have been associated with behavioral and learning challenges in some children. Kennedy has been a vocal critic of these additives.

Lawmakers in over half of U.S. states—across both parties—are pursuing restrictions on artificial dyes, according to data from the Environmental Working Group, signaling a bipartisan movement toward improving food safety.

Although artificial dyes are not specifically named in the president’s executive order establishing the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, some Republican lawmakers have referenced Kennedy’s “MAHA” slogan when introducing related legislation.

As state-level regulations begin to vary, food industry groups are calling for a unified federal approach. In March, the National Confectioners Association acknowledged a role for state lawmakers but maintained that the FDA should remain the central authority on food safety decisions. Some member companies of the association continue to produce products containing artificial dyes.