Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a ban on eight artificial food dyes from all U.S. products, including candies, ice creams, soft drinks, jams, and even medications, by the end of 2026.
The announcement came during an April 22 press conference in Washington, D.C., where Kennedy detailed the federal plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes that have long been a staple of processed foods.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these dyes have been used for decades to counteract color loss due to exposure to light and heat, and to add color to otherwise dull or colorless products—especially those aimed at children.
For years, Kennedy has been an outspoken critic of what he calls “Big Food” and “Big Pharma,” repeatedly linking artificial additives, dyes, and preservatives to the rise in chronic illnesses among Americans. During his 2024 run for the Democratic presidential nomination—and later as an independent candidate—he made the issue a key part of his campaign platform.
RFK JR: “We have them on the run now and we are going to win this battle. Four years from now, we’re going to have most of these products off the market or you will