As part of the “Make America Healthy” initiative, Dr. Marty Makary, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has announced a significant goal: eliminating artificial food dyes by the end of 2026.
During a recent interview with News Nation, McCurry, who was appointed by President Trump as the 27th FDA chief, reflected on his first 100 days in office. He mentioned that the decision to phase out synthetic food dyes stems from concerns that these additives might be linked to various health problems, including Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
“We have a comprehensive list of these substances because there are about 1,000 chemicals present in the U.S. food supply which don’t exist in European foods. These artificial, petroleum-based dyes are potentially associated with attention deficit disorder and other health concerns in children,” McCurry explained.
“That’s why we advocate for natural ingredients,” he continued. “It’s important for people to decrease their consumption of ultra-processed foods.”
A 2022 report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) investigated the connection between blue food coloring and ADHD. While the ultimate cause of ADHD remains unclear, some findings pointed to instances where symptoms were exacerbated.
McCurry shared that the agency is working on approving alternatives like natural dyes and anticipates that these will be approved shortly.
In April, the FDA announced its commitment to eliminating petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply as part of the “Make America Healthy” campaign.
“It’s essential to remember that the ‘F’ in FDA stands for food,” McCurry noted.
FDA Examines Processed Foods’ Impact on Children
According to McCurry, processed foods are frequently marketed toward children, and the agency is concentrating on addressing issues related to childhood obesity and diabetes.
He highlighted that the makers of Skittles are pledging to eliminate titanium dioxide, another chemical they wish to remove from their products. “I don’t think the rise in childhood diabetes is simply a matter of willpower. We need to reassess our practices regarding our kids,” he stated.
Testing the effects of artificial dyes on minors poses challenges, McCurry admitted, emphasizing that the FDA will depend on feedback from parents and patients for better understanding.
“When parents express that their child shows aggressive behavior and has received an ADHD diagnosis—yet after cutting out artificial dyes and oils from their diet, they notice improvements—those experiences are significant data points,” he remarked. “While they aren’t controlled trials, accumulating sufficient anecdotal evidence alongside established research can lead us to make informed decisions.”
Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the FDA aim to eliminate synthetic food dyes by the close of 2026. Major companies like Kraft Heinz, General Mills, PepsiCo, and Nestle plan to phase out these artificial colorings.
Yet, enforcing such bans might be challenging, as some brands are already resisting the change.
“I believe in winning people over with kindness rather than force. We are approaching this diplomatically, advocating for the public’s interests,” McCurry insisted. “This is a critical issue for parents across the U.S.; in fact, over 90% of them want these petroleum-based dyes removed from foods aimed at their children.”
