Robert F Kennedy Junior appears set to remove potentially dangerous food dyes from sweets, cakes and other treats sold in the US.

The Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the health secretary will hold a press conference tomorrow with FDA head Marty Makary to declare the FDA’s plan to eliminate the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the food supply of the country.

There are at least seven dyes that fall into this category: Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.

These dyes have been used in American food for many years to give products an attractive color. However, in recent times, worries have emerged regarding their impact on health. Some studies have indicated that these dyes might be associated with issues like hyperactivity, cancer, and other health problems.

European countries have already banned them or heavily restricted their use, requiring warning labels disclosing the health risks. 

But American regulators have said there is not enough evidence that the dyes cause health issues.

During the election campaign, the new HHS Secretary promised to get rid of these dyes from the food available in the U.S. This move aims to address worries about harmful components and their potential connection to the nation’s ongoing health crisis.

RFK Junior has been pushing to outlaw artificial food dyes that have been linked to health conditions (Pictured above in a September 2024 video warning over processed food)

The press conference will be held tomorrow at 4pm ET in the Hubert Humphrey Building, which is the Washington home of the HHS.

It is not clear what will be unveiled, but it is likely that the secretaries will present a timeline for getting the dyes out of foods.

Last month, the HHS Secretary met with industry food leaders and told them to proactively remove the dyes from foods or he would be forced to act. 

At the Washington gathering, there were the CEO’s of Kellogg’s, Smucker’s and General Mills. 

The embattled HHS Secretary is also currently under fire for his handling of the measles outbreak in West Texas, which has spiralled to nearly 600 cases with public health officials saying it will take more than a year to get under control. Two healthy girls have also died.

The dyes are known as petroleum based because they are often made by combining a product from petrol with another substance to create the brilliant color.

Natural alternatives are available, and are already used in multiple products in Europe — including in Skittles.

The dyes have been linked to multiple health problems in animal studies, including cancer and a higher risk of developing tumors.

Red 40, also known as Allura red, is in several popular candies, sodas and chips – including Doritos, Skittles, and Pepsi – as well as baked goods and cake mix

There are also concerns that the bright colors could encourage people to eat more sweet treats, leading to weight gain which is linked to a whole host of chronic diseases. 

It follows moves from the states, with both California and West Virginia passing laws to ban some artificial food colorings. There are at least 30 others, mostly Democrat, considering similar legislation. 

The FDA recently ordered that Red 3 must be removed from foods sold in the US by 2027 and medications by 2028, over concerns it can cause cancer.

This dye is responsible for the bright red colors found in candies and lollipops, although there are now natural alternatives.

In July last year, the agency also said it would ban brominated vegetable oil over concerns it could damage the nervous system and irritate the skin.

This ban, affecting sodas like Sundrop, came into force in August 2024 — with companies having one year to reformulate their products.

Many states are also seeking a ban on Red 40, or Allura red — found in several popular snacks including Doritos, Skittle and Pepsi.

Yellow 5 is also on the chopping block, which has been linked to potentially triggering hyperactivity in children and damage to DNA. It is also used in Doritos, juices and cookies.

Similarly, Yellow 6 — found in sugary breakfast cereals like Lucky Charms — and Blue 1 — found in sweets like gummy bears — have both also been linked to hyperactivity.

Studies in animals have also suggested that Blue 2 — found in sports drinks — and Green 3 — often found in salad dressings — raised the risk of tumors developing, particularly in the bladder and testes.