An announcement forthcoming from the Health Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday discloses the prohibition of petroleum-derived artificial food coloring from the country’s food chain. This measure is viewed as an integral part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, prior to President Joe Biden’s departure from office, rescinded its go-ahead for the utilization of the artificial Red No. 3 dye, a constituent in selected foods and medications. This dye was amongst the nine petroleum-made, FDA-sanctioned synthetic dyes.
It is anticipated that Kennedy will confirm the intention of the Trump administration to gradually get rid of the remaining eight synthetic food colorings within a biennial period. Included in the line-up to be eliminated is Red No. 40, alternatively known as Allura Red, a frequently utilized artificial food pigment in the U.S. and Canada. Initially sanctioned by the FDA for food applications in 1971, Red No. 40 presently adds aesthetic appeal to various sodas, cereals, bakery products, and other foodstuffs.
The safety of Red dye No. 40 for human consumption, given the daily intake remain within the acceptable level, has been agreed upon by entities including the FDA, the European Food Safety Authority, and other regulatory bodies. In addition to Red dye No. 40, various standard food colorants—Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, Blue Nos. 1 and 2, along with Green No. 3, are also synthetic additives. These colorants are commonly used likely due to their low cost, but several entities have entirely embraced natural food coloring such as curcumin, carotenes, paprika, and anthocyanins.
Artificial food dyes are integrated into various food types that we consume regularly. This would include baked items, dairy products, and specific fruit derivatives. They also lend visual appeal to pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements, including cough suppressants, liquid analgesics, allergy medication, and visually appealing gummy vitamins.
Investigations into these dyes are still in progress, but preliminary data suggest they are potentially harmful to health. The most prominent correlation identified is between the colorants and behavior-related issues in children. In 2021, a report generated by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment analyzed human and animal study data and deduced that synthetic food pigments are associated with hyperactivity and neuro-behavioral disorders among children. Investigations encompassed observational as well as test studies.
The decision regarding artificial dyes will likely prompt further discussions on other colorants. Even though Red No. 40, for instance, isn’t listed as a carcinogen, it can still trigger behavioral anomalies, mainly in children. Furthermore, it contains benzene, a substance linked with cancer.
Other synthetic dyes, such as Blue No. 1 and Yellow No. 5, are considered generally safe within regulated limits. However, they could trigger allergic responses or behavioral irregularities in susceptible individuals. While natural colorants are less stable and costlier to produce, making synthetic variants more preferable in certain cases.
Anticipations were high regarding the eventual removal of synthetic pigments from the food chain. The principal draw of synthetic pigments arises from their profitability, providing no other benefits. Thus, their elimination is not only necessary but inevitable.