RFK Jr. Urges Food Companies to Remove Artificial Dyes, Targets FDA's GRAS Program Amid Share Price Declines and State Legislative Action

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has initiated a campaign to eliminate artificial dyes from the American food supply, emphasizing the urgency of this initiative before the end of his term. Kennedy met with executives from major food companies including Kraft Heinz, General Mills, Tyson Foods, Kellogg’s, Smuckers, and PepsiCo to discuss food safety and transparency, urging them to remove toxins from food to strengthen consumer trust. Kennedy's push is part of the Trump administration's 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, which aims to address the high rates of chronic diseases linked to ultraprocessed foods. He has specifically targeted artificial dyes, which have been associated with health issues such as ADHD-like symptoms in children and cancer in animals. The initiative also includes a review of the FDA's 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) program, which Kennedy criticizes for allowing the introduction of untested ingredients into the food supply. In response to Kennedy's ultimatum, several food companies have seen their share prices decline, with General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Smucker's, and PepsiCo experiencing drops. Kennedy's advocacy has also spurred legislative action in states like California, Oklahoma, and New York, where moves are being made to ban certain food dyes and additives due to public health concerns.