Are the foods you're eating safe? Why Americans are fighting to ban these common food ingredient
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As we sit down to enjoy our favorite meals—colorful cereals, bright candies, and vibrant drinks—we don’t often think about what gives them their eye-catching hues.
Most of us simply enjoy the bright colors without a second thought.
But what if those same colors could be affecting our health?
Across the country, a growing number of Americans are calling for a ban on synthetic food dyes.
They are questioning their safety and potential impact on well-being.
Now, lawmakers are taking notice, and changes could be on the horizon.
Concerns over artificial food dyes are nothing new, but in recent months, the movement to restrict or ban them has gained significant momentum.
This year alone, nearly 40 bills have been introduced across 20 states—including Oklahoma, West Virginia, and New York—seeking to regulate the use of these additives.
Parents, health advocates, and legislators are leading the charge, raising concerns about the potential effects of food dyes, particularly on children's behavior.
The Make America Healthy Again movement, championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has played a key role in this growing effort.
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not confirmed a direct link between food dyes and behavioral issues, many families believe these additives may be contributing to attention and hyperactivity challenges in children.
Some states have already taken action. West Virginia recently passed a bill to ban seven synthetic dyes, set to take effect in 2028 if signed into law.
In California, six dyes have been prohibited from foods served in public schools.
These measures reflect a growing frustration with the FDA’s pace in addressing concerns, prompting local governments to take matters into their own hands.
Currently, the FDA approves 36 color additives, nine of which are synthetic dyes commonly found in everyday foods.
Many of these additives are used in snacks, drinks, and processed foods marketed toward children.
The debate over their safety has been ongoing for decades.
In the 1970s, the FDA began investigating possible links between food dyes and behavioral issues in children.
More recent studies, including one published in The Lancet in 2007, have suggested a possible connection between artificial dyes and increased hyperactivity.
However, while the FDA reviewed data in both 2011 and 2019, it has not established a direct cause-and-effect relationship for children without pre-existing behavioral conditions.
Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, concerns remain.
Kennedy and other advocates point to research suggesting that food dyes may interfere with normal behavior in some children.
As a result, they are pushing for these additives to be removed from the nation’s food supply.
In some cases, the FDA has acted on potential risks. Red No. 3, for example, was banned in cosmetics after studies linked it to cancer in lab animals.
However, it remains approved for use in food, raising questions about inconsistencies in regulation.
For food manufacturers, the debate over synthetic dyes presents a complex challenge.
While these dyes serve no nutritional purpose, they play a major role in making products visually appealing.
Companies like Mars and General Mills have experimented with dye-free alternatives, only to revert to artificial colors due to consumer expectations and preferences.
Some families, however, are taking matters into their own hands.
Parents like Wendy Bakos and Liz Dent have transitioned their households to dye-free diets, finding support through online communities and discovering alternatives such as Unreal candy and Trader Joe’s dye-free options.
Meanwhile, industry groups argue that state-by-state regulations create confusion and increase costs for food companies.
But for advocates of change, the priority remains consumer safety and the right to make informed choices about food.
The conversation around food dyes is far from over.
While the FDA continues to review research, individual states are pushing ahead with their own regulations.
The debate isn’t just about color—it’s about transparency, health, and the standards set for the foods Americans consume.
Read next: Could this favorite American food be fueling rising dementia rates?
Now, we want to hear from you. Have you ever thought about removing artificial dyes from your diet? Do you support efforts to regulate these additives? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below!
Most of us simply enjoy the bright colors without a second thought.
But what if those same colors could be affecting our health?
Across the country, a growing number of Americans are calling for a ban on synthetic food dyes.
They are questioning their safety and potential impact on well-being.
Now, lawmakers are taking notice, and changes could be on the horizon.
Bright and eye-catching, artificial food dyes are everywhere—but are they as harmless as they seem? Image Source: Pexels / Caleb Minear.
The colorful controversy: A nationwide push for change
Concerns over artificial food dyes are nothing new, but in recent months, the movement to restrict or ban them has gained significant momentum.
This year alone, nearly 40 bills have been introduced across 20 states—including Oklahoma, West Virginia, and New York—seeking to regulate the use of these additives.
Parents, health advocates, and legislators are leading the charge, raising concerns about the potential effects of food dyes, particularly on children's behavior.
The Make America Healthy Again movement, championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has played a key role in this growing effort.
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not confirmed a direct link between food dyes and behavioral issues, many families believe these additives may be contributing to attention and hyperactivity challenges in children.
Some states have already taken action. West Virginia recently passed a bill to ban seven synthetic dyes, set to take effect in 2028 if signed into law.
In California, six dyes have been prohibited from foods served in public schools.
These measures reflect a growing frustration with the FDA’s pace in addressing concerns, prompting local governments to take matters into their own hands.
Also read: Is your favorite food banned? The truth about the ingredient behind these recent bans
The science behind food dyes: What we know
Currently, the FDA approves 36 color additives, nine of which are synthetic dyes commonly found in everyday foods.
Many of these additives are used in snacks, drinks, and processed foods marketed toward children.
The debate over their safety has been ongoing for decades.
A summertime favorite especially for kids—but what’s really behind those vibrant popsicle colors? Image Source: Pexels / Thiago Calamita.
In the 1970s, the FDA began investigating possible links between food dyes and behavioral issues in children.
More recent studies, including one published in The Lancet in 2007, have suggested a possible connection between artificial dyes and increased hyperactivity.
However, while the FDA reviewed data in both 2011 and 2019, it has not established a direct cause-and-effect relationship for children without pre-existing behavioral conditions.
Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, concerns remain.
Kennedy and other advocates point to research suggesting that food dyes may interfere with normal behavior in some children.
As a result, they are pushing for these additives to be removed from the nation’s food supply.
In some cases, the FDA has acted on potential risks. Red No. 3, for example, was banned in cosmetics after studies linked it to cancer in lab animals.
However, it remains approved for use in food, raising questions about inconsistencies in regulation.
Also read: Are you a fan of this refreshing drink? Immediate recall issued due to cancer-linked chemical!
The challenge of change: Food companies and consumer choices
For food manufacturers, the debate over synthetic dyes presents a complex challenge.
While these dyes serve no nutritional purpose, they play a major role in making products visually appealing.
Companies like Mars and General Mills have experimented with dye-free alternatives, only to revert to artificial colors due to consumer expectations and preferences.
Some families, however, are taking matters into their own hands.
Liz Dent's child enjoying a dye-free treat—one of the many changes their family has made to avoid artificial food dyes. Image Source: Liz Dent/ NBC News.
Parents like Wendy Bakos and Liz Dent have transitioned their households to dye-free diets, finding support through online communities and discovering alternatives such as Unreal candy and Trader Joe’s dye-free options.
Meanwhile, industry groups argue that state-by-state regulations create confusion and increase costs for food companies.
But for advocates of change, the priority remains consumer safety and the right to make informed choices about food.
The conversation around food dyes is far from over.
While the FDA continues to review research, individual states are pushing ahead with their own regulations.
The debate isn’t just about color—it’s about transparency, health, and the standards set for the foods Americans consume.
Read next: Could this favorite American food be fueling rising dementia rates?
Now, we want to hear from you. Have you ever thought about removing artificial dyes from your diet? Do you support efforts to regulate these additives? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below!
