RFK Jr. Targets Artificial Dyes and Food Additive Loophole in Sweeping FDA Overhaul

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. moves to eliminate synthetic dyes and tighten oversight of unregulated food additives in a bid to address chronic health issues.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Health Secretary, has announced plans to eliminate artificial dyes from the U.S. food supply, emphasizing their links to health concerns.
Kennedy directed the FDA to address a regulatory loophole allowing companies to self-certify food additives as safe without government review under the GRAS policy.
Major food companies, including PepsiCo and WK Kellogg, attended a meeting with Kennedy, who urged them to proactively transition to natural ingredients or face regulatory action.
Food safety advocates have long criticized the GRAS policy as enabling untested chemicals in food, and Kennedy's initiative has garnered bipartisan support for increasing transparency.
While the food industry expressed cautious willingness to collaborate, concerns were raised about the feasibility of replacing synthetic dyes and the potential costs of increased FDA oversight.