A ban on food dye by the Department of Health and Human Services could see some favorite foods vanish from American shelves.
HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. declared in April that steps would be taken to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes as part of the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. He has urged food manufacturers to eliminate these dyes by the end of his term, including those used in oranges - a common item in school lunches.
Red No. 3 was already banned in the US earlier this year. This follows RFK's urgent review of baby formula ingredients.
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While some countries have banned or require warnings for certain food dyes, the debate over their potential harm when consumed continues, reports the Mirror US.
Research suggests "a possible link" between these dyes and "symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children."
However, the US Food and Drug Administration also states on its website: "The totality of scientific evidence indicates that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives, but some evidence suggests that certain children may be sensitive to them."
The FDA reports that the following dyes will be phased out:
- FD&C Red No. 40 (or Red 40)
- FD&C Green No. 3 (or Green 3)
- FD&C Yellow No. 5 Yellow No. 6 (or Yellow 5 and 6)
- FD&C Blue No. 1
- Blue No. 2 (or Blue 1 and 2)
Certain snacks could be impacted by this food dye ban, including:
Chips
Snacks like Cheetos, Doritos or Takis get their red-orange hue from Red 40 and Yellow 6. This dye is often used to give chips a spicy or cheesy appearance.
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Breakfast foods
Certain breakfast cereals such as Lucky Charms, Foot Loops or Fruity Pebbles are known to use food dyes, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Blue 1, according to FOX 59. Other sweet morning treats like Pop Tarts and some yogurts also include these dyes in their ingredients.
Beverages
Food dyes are a common ingredient in many beverages, particularly soft drinks like Fanta (Red 40 and Yellow 6) or Mountain Dew (Yellow 5). Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade also utilize dyes to achieve their distinctive colors. Even cherry-flavored drinks often contain Red 40.
Fruits
Surprisingly, even produce in the US can contain food dyes. Some fruits, such as oranges, may have Red No. 2 added to enhance the vibrancy of their skin.
Meats
Certain meats employ synthetic dyes to achieve a specific appearance, like Orange B used in the casings of sausages and frankfurters. Tyson Foods recently made headlines by announcing its decision to eliminate the use of synthetic dyes in all its products.
Candy
Some gummy candies, like Swedish Fish, contain Red 40 or Yellow 6. Hard-shelled candies like M&Ms also use a variety of dyes, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Blue 1.
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