RFK JR. moves to eliminate synthetic food dyes. Are they safe?

On Tuesday, at a press conference, the Secretary of Health and Social Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Tuesday unveiled a plan to start removing eight synthetic food colors in the American food supply.

The HHS and the United States Food and Drug Administration are looking to revoke the authorization of two synthetic food dyes and work with food manufacturers to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes used in food, cereals, snacks, ice cream and yogurts.

Kennedy has already talked about his opposition to artificial dyes, saying that they are harmful and call them to be removed from food and drinks.

Studies have linked coloring to behavioral changes as well as cancer in animals, which suggests that this can extend to humans.

Some nutritionists and dietitists say that it is preferable to avoid artificial dietary dyes, while others say that more research must be done and that the potential negative effects are not yet clear.

What are synthetic dyes and where are they?

Many years ago, some synthetic dyes were produced from under-products of coal treatment, according to the Fda. Today, many dyes are based on oil and manufactured by chemical processes.

They appear in many types of foods, including candy, ice cream, frozen desserts, crackers, shavings, energy bar, cereals, drinks and more.

Halle Saperstein, clinical dietitian at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, told ABC News that his research revealed that there are around 36,000 products with red n ° 40, around 8,000 products containing RED n ° 3 and approximately one product that contains another type of synthetic food coloring.

“The other thing to note is that many products contain several petroleum food dyes, not just a specific,” she said.

Sandra Zhang, a dietitian nutritionist and pediatric dietitian at Frances Stern Nutrition Center at the Medical Center tufts in Boston, said that synthetic dyes are very widespread and are mainly used in packaged processed foods that can be found in supermarkets and grocery stores.

“Synthetic food colors are not in nature, so they are entirely artificial,” said Zhang. “And therefore, they have no property or nutritional advantage. They are only made to improve the appearance of food.”

What have studies have shown?

Research has suggested that some synthetic food dyes can be associated with behavioral problems in children and adolescents.

A Meta-analysis 2012 From Oregon Health and Science University noted that artificial food colors can affect children’s behavior and exacerbate symptoms of attention / hyperactivity deficit disorder.

Another 2012 study The artificial food coloring is not a major cause of ADHD, but can affect children, whether diagnosed with the disease.

In addition, a 2022 analysis California Environmental Protection Agency and two California universities have found that there can be an association between synthetic food dyes and behavioral problems, even children without diagnosed behavioral disorder.

In 2019, the FDA said An advisory committee has not established a “causal link” between the additives of synthetic colors and the behavioral effects, but has recommended additional research on the issue.

Are synthetic food colors sure?

Experts are divided on the issue. Saperstein said that she sees a credible link between the behavior and synthetic consumption of food coloring based on the studies she has read.

Zhang said that she does not know if there is a link between behavioral problems and synthetic food colors and that more research must be carried out.

“At least from my patient care experience, I don’t observe … A child who consumes Gatorade every day makes a huge difference” in his behavior, she said.

However, she added that scientific research connecting colors to neuro-obstacles changes has been carried out on animals.

Whether synthetic dyes are sure to consume or not, experts agree that it is preferable to limit the consumption of artificial food coloring when possible.

Jennifer Pomeranz, Associate Professor of Public Health and Public Health Management at the Nyu School of Global Public Health, said that she thought there was no need for artificial food dyes in food supply because they do not act as conservatives and they have no nutritional advantages.

“There are natural dyes that [companies] can use, “she said.” And frankly, there is really no need for food supply also in bright colors. “”

Earlier this year, under the administration of former President Joe Biden, the FDA said that it had a ban on the ban on the use of red n ° 3 in food, drinks and medicines after it was found to cause cancer in rats.

In the heels of Kennedy’s Tuesday announcement on the elimination of other synthetic dyes, the international association of color manufacturers, the Professional Association for the Industry of Color Additives, published a statement criticizing the HHS decision.

“Color additives have been rigorously examined by the World Health Authorities, such as the US Food and Drug Administration, the European Food Safety Authority and the joint committee of the FAO / WHO expert on food additives, without any security problems,” the statement said. “Need reformulation by the end of 2026 ignores scientific evidence and underestimate the complexity of food production”

What about natural alternatives?

At the Tuesday press conference, FDA commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, mentioned watermelon juice and carrot juice as natural alternatives to synthetic dyes.

Some food manufacturers use concentrated shapes of natural pigments found in fruits and plants – such as beets, blackberries, paprika, saffron, tamarin and turmeric – as dyes.

While the food industry moves to natural dyes, more research should be carried out to study their safety and to formulate regulations at concentration levels, Zhang said.

The FDA said on Tuesday that it was accelerate the review Four new natural color additives: calcium phosphate, blue galieria extract, guardian blue and extract of butterfly pea flowers.

Gardenia Blue and Butterfly Pea Flower extract come from plants, the extract from Galdieria Bleu comes from algae and calcium phosphate is a chemical compound.

The expert says food companies use synthetic dyes to color their products because they are cheaper compared to natural dyes. Some companies have said their products are sure for consumption and that they meet the federal standards established by the FDA.

Saperstein said that another reason for which companies could use synthetic dyes are psychological because people are more attracted to bright -colored foods than deaf -colored foods.

“We have seen stories of trustee of companies that change [to natural dyes] And they feel that it’s not brilliant enough, so they come back, “said Pomeranz.