Red 40 and Regret: Why RFK Jr. Is Coming for Food Dyes (And Why He’s Not Wrong)
If you’ve ever eaten something red and then felt vaguely itchy, moody, or hyper (or your kid did cartwheels through bedtime after eating cereal) you might want to sit down for this one.
RFK Jr. just announced a crackdown on artificial food dyes in the U.S., and whether or not you agree with him on other issues, this move has people across the aisle going: Finally.
Because let’s be real: American food is kind of a mess, and food coloring is one of those sneaky ingredients that’s not just unnecessary, it’s often potentially harmful.
Let’s break down what’s happening, what these dyes are really doing to us, and why this might be the beginning of a very colorful (and possibly cleaner) revolution in our snacks, cereals, and processed food aisle.
🍭 What Did RFK Jr. Actually Say?
In April 2025, RFK Jr. called for a federal phase-out of synthetic food dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1, citing their potential links to:
Hyperactivity in children
Behavioral issues
Inflammatory responses
And yes—even cancer in some animal studies
He’s pushing for label transparency and potential bans or restrictions on dyes that have long been controversial (but still legal) in the U.S.
While this might sound like a fringe food fight, it’s actually backed by a lot of scientists, pediatricians, and global health comparisons.
And honestly? It’s overdue.
What Even Are These Food Dyes?
Most artificial food dyes are petroleum-derived chemicals. That’s right: oil byproducts. They’re used to make food look more appealing, consistent, or “fun.” You’ll find them in:
Candy
Soda
Breakfast cereals
Flavored yogurts
Packaged snacks
Vitamins
Kids’ meds
Bakery items
And disturbingly… even in some salad dressings and pickles
Here are a few of the most common:
Red 40 (Allura Red): Linked to ADHD symptoms in children, yet it’s the most used dye in the U.S.
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine): Can cause allergic reactions, particularly in people sensitive to aspirin.
Blue 1: Sometimes tied to behavioral issues and banned in some European countries.
And it’s not just "junk food", even “healthier” items like protein bars and low-calorie ice creams sneak these in.
What the Research Really Says
This isn’t just internet fearmongering. Multiple studies (including some from the FDA itself) acknowledge that artificial dyes can negatively impact behavior, especially in children.
Key findings:
A 2011 meta-analysis linked synthetic food dyes to increased hyperactivity.
The California Environmental Protection Agency has warned about the cognitive and behavioral effects of dyes like Red 40.
Europe requires warning labels on any foods with artificial coloring:
“May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
Meanwhile in the U.S., we still have... colorful cereals with cartoons on the front and zero warning labels.
Europe’s Way Ahead (Again)
In Europe, several dyes used in American food are:
Banned
Heavily restricted
Or only allowed if companies slap a warning label on the packaging
The result?
Big brands like Kraft, Nestlé, and McDonald's reformulate their products for European markets to use natural colors like beet juice, turmeric, and paprika extract.
But in the U.S.? We get the Red 40 version.
Why? Because it's cheaper, and we don't complain enough.
How This Affects What’s in Your Pantry
Take a peek in your pantry and you’ll probably find a few surprise offenders. Here’s a totally non-exhaustive list of common food dye culprits:
Chewy vitamins (even adult ones)
Fruit snacks
Flavored yogurts
Mac & cheese mixes
Protein powders
Gummy supplements
Store-brand cookies
Cake mixes
Flavored drinks and mixers
And maybe the worst part? You often can’t see the color through the packaging. If you’re not reading the label, you’re probably eating dye.
My Personal Take (You Knew This Was Coming)
I didn’t start out as a food dye warrior. I didn’t even know how to pronounce “tartrazine” a few years ago.
But after I started cutting out American flour and felt my body completely change, I started looking into other “normal” ingredients, and dyes kept coming up.
We’re expected to just accept that color is more important than health. That our kids need bright blue yogurt to be happy. That our drinks need to glow like glow sticks to taste good.
Honestly? I’m tired of it. If Europe can do better, so can we.
The Truth About “Kid Food”
One of the most infuriating things about this issue is how deliberately targeted food dyes are.
Kids’ foods are the most artificially colored. Think:
Bright gummies
Rainbow cereals
Neon juice pouches
Fluorescent snack cakes
Bubble gum toothpaste
Even their medicines have it
Why? Because kids like color. But here’s the thing: kids also tend to be more sensitive to chemical exposures, and we’re soaking their most impressionable years in synthetic dyes linked to behavior issues.
It’s not just poor nutrition, it’s neurotoxicity disguised as fun.
Affiliate Break: Want to Go Dye-Free?
If you’re looking to ditch artificial colors without giving up fun, here are two easy, Amazon-friendly swaps I personally love:
Watkins Natural Food Coloring Kit – Made from veggies and fruit, with bright, bold colors that actually look great in baking and icing. This should last you a while and is less than $10.
Dye-Free Fruit Snacks (Annie’s) – No artificial dyes, no weird aftertaste, and still full of squishy childhood nostalgia.
What Did RFK Jr. Just Announce?
On April 23, 2025, RFK Jr., now serving as Health Secretary, officially launched a nationwide ban on eight commonly used artificial food dyes in a bid to help Americans “know what’s in their food.”
The plan includes:
Two petroleum-based synthetic dyes to be phased out within weeks
The remaining dyes to be fully banned by the end of 2026
This isn’t just a proposed regulation…it’s happening. The U.S. is finally aligning with growing global concern around synthetic food additives, especially those tied to behavior issues, allergies, and long-term health risks.
The dyes targeted include:
Red 40
Yellow 5
Blue 1
Plus five others commonly used in processed foods, snacks, and pharmaceuticals
It’s one of the most aggressive food safety moves in modern U.S. history—and it might finally bring our labels closer to those in Europe and Canada.
What Can You Do?
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait for the government to act. You can:
Read labels and Google anything you can’t pronounce
Look for “No artificial colors” or “Colored with vegetable juice”
Write to brands you love—many are starting to change because people are speaking up
Buy organic when possible—USDA organic products can’t contain synthetic dyes
Support candidates or organizations pushing for transparency in food
Every time you skip Red 40 and pick something dye-free, you’re voting with your dollar.
Bright Isn’t Always Better
Food is supposed to nourish us, not trick us into thinking neon orange means cheese.
But for decades, we’ve been fed marketing over mindfulness. Convenience over curiosity. Brightness over brain health.
RFK Jr. might be a polarizing figure, but on this issue? He’s not wrong.
It’s time we start asking:
What are we actually feeding our families?
Why do we accept additives banned in other countries?
And why are we still prioritizing color over clarity?
Whether or not this crackdown becomes law, one thing is clear: the dye debate is far from over.
And maybe, just maybe… we’ve had enough Red 40 for one lifetime.
