US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reportedly met with ‘big food companies’ and told them to remove artificial dyes from their products.
News agency Bloomberg was one of the first to report on the private discussions between Kennedy and the food companies, said to include PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz.
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Fellow news agency Reuters said it had seen an email from industry body the Consumer Brands Association (CBA), which said Kennedy wants artificial dyes out of the food supply before he leaves office in 2028.
Kennedy made clear that he will “take action unless the industry is willing to be proactive with solutions”, the email is said to have stated.
In January, President Trump’s pick as Health Secretary accused the US food and beverage industry of “poisoning” the American people.
In a US Senate hearing to consider his nomination to the role, he said, if elected, he would “scrutinise the chemical additives in our food supply”.
Earlier this week, Kennedy, who has promised to tackle the country’s epidemic of chronic illness, which he links to a poor diet and unhealthy ingredients, ordered industry regulator the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve the oversight of food ingredients.
Now, according to Reuters, the FDA will work with the industry to create a federal framework on food dyes.
California has already banned dyes from food served in school lunches, and Virginia and New York State are said to be considering similar measures, but Kennedy is said to want a nationwide ruling.
In January, the FDA said it plans to ban the use of the so-called Red 3 food colouring additive in food, supplements and ingestible drugs.
Also known as erythrosine, or FD&C Red No. 3, the synthetic dye gives a bright, cherry-red hue to products and has been widely used in confectionery, cookies, frozen desserts and for icings, as well as medications, according to the FDA.
CBA CEO Melissa Hockstad said in a statement issued on Monday (10 March) following a roundtable meeting with Kennedy: “Today, industry leaders met with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to discuss his Make America Healthy Again agenda and working together to maintain consumer access to safe, affordable and convenient product choices.
“It was a constructive conversation and we look forward to continued engagement with the secretary and the qualified experts within HHS to support public health, build consumer trust and promote consumer choice.”
Just Food asked PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz to confirm their attendance at the meeting with the Health Secretary and for their reaction to his demand, outside of US office hours.
PepsiCo confirmed it had taken part in the meeting but said it would not discuss its contents.
A spokesperson added: “We appreciate the Secretary taking the time to sit down with us and view the meeting as a productive first step in working with the Administration.
“Together, we share a commitment to ensuring that America’s food system is the best in the world. We remain focused on providing consumers with convenient, affordable, and safe foods and drinks – including more options with natural ingredients, no synthetic colours and reductions in sugar, fat and sodium.”
Kraft Heinz said: “We look forward to partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services in the mission to provide safe, affordable, and wholesome food for all.
“At Kraft Heinz, we make products for all lifestyles. We’ve been on a journey to innovate and improve the nutrition profile of our beloved products and look forward to collaborating with the industry and with the Administration to do even more.”
