RFK Jr. announces plan to remove artificial dyes from food and beverages
NBCAPR 18
Trump Administration to Ban Eight Artificial Food Dyes Nationwide
Above: Pop-Tarts, sold in the US and made with Red No. 40 artificial dye, arranged in Brooklyn, New York on May 23, 2024. Image copyright: Lucia Buricelli/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The removal of artificial food dyes represents a crucial step in protecting public health, particularly children's safety, as studies have linked these petroleum-based chemicals to behavioral problems, hyperactivity, and potential cancer risks in laboratory animals. Natural alternatives are readily available and already in use in other countries, making this transition both feasible and necessary for public health.
Narrative B
The rapid timeline for removing these dyes could significantly disrupt the food industry, potentially increasing consumer costs and limiting product choices. The FDA has previously determined no definitive causal relationship between these dyes and health issues, and the existing regulatory framework has ensured food safety for decades.