Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to direct food manufacturers to phase out eight petroleum-based food dyes from cereals, sports drinks, and other grocery staples by the end of 2026.
The directive, expected to be announced in full detail on Tuesday, affects hundreds of thousands of grocery store items containing eight petroleum-based dyes, which health experts have long criticized for potentially causing hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in children, according to a New York Times report.
The eight dyes being targeted include Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3, and Orange B, according to details provided by HHS officials to the Times.
Food industry experts estimate that the reformulation costs could reach into the billions, though many companies have already developed alternative formulations for their European and Canadian products.
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