Jeffrey A. Singer
Jeffrey A. Singer
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., hosted Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, who announced today they will order the phase-out of petroleum-based food dyes in food products as part of their initiative to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Secretary Kennedy’s and Commissioner Makary’s decision is not evidence-based but ideologically motivated. Kennedy and Makary are attempting to impose their risk-benefit preferences on the rest of us.
Petroleum-based synthetic dyes are artificial colorants made from petrochemicals—compounds derived from crude oil. These dyes are commonly found in a variety of products, such as processed foods and beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics. Manufacturers prefer them because they yield bright, consistent, and long-lasting colors. They are also cheaper and more stable than natural dyes, making them more cost-effective alternatives. Examples include Red 40 (Allura Red AC), Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF). These are among the eight dyes slated for phase-out.
There is no conclusive scientific evidence that petroleum-based synthetic dyes are broadly harmful to humans; almost all studies are correlative, and correlation is not the same as causation. However, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to one or more of them. Yet, despite growing public concern about the safety of these substances, cancer death rates and cardiovascular death rates continue to decline, and average life expectancy has risen, from an overall rate of 76.8 years in 2000 to 78.4 years in 2023 (after dipping during the COVID-19 pandemic years).
In announcing the phase-out, Dr. Makary cited a 2007 study involving 3‑year-old and 8–9‑year-old children in Southampton, England, published in The Lancet. The study suggested that artificial colors, sodium benzoate preservative, or both may increase the risk of “hyperactivity” in children. The researchers utilized the Global Hyperactivity Aggregate (GHA)—a composite measure that combines results from multiple behavior rating scales completed by parents, » Read More
https://www.cato.org/blog/food-freedom-personal-freedom-personal-crusade-should-not-become-national-policy