The manufacturers of some of the most vibrant food items in America have already agreed to work with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. less than three months after he declared war on artificial food coloring. By the end of 2027, synthetic colors will no longer be used in a variety of goods, including Lucky Charms cereals, Kool-Aid drinks, and Jell-O snacks, if they keep their pledges.
But a major barrier preventing Mr. Kennedy from declaring complete triumph is the candy industry and its most vibrant chocolate delicacy, M&Ms.
Perhaps no food is more symbolic of Mr. Kennedy and his Make America Healthy Again crusade as M&Ms, except from Froot Loops cereal. When he took over at the Department of Health and Human Services, he set out to eradicate ultra-processed foods from the country, starting with synthetic dyes.
Critics mocked Mr. Kennedy’s voluntary approach when he announced in April that he had reached an agreement with food manufacturers to phase out petroleum-based colors by the end of 2026, citing studies that showed they were associated with behavioral issues in children. However, his campaign of peer pressure seems to have had some success. Nestle and ConAgra signed on to the secretary’s plan last month, joining Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and PepsiCo.
Candy producers continue to hold out, relying on artificial colorings to create the vibrant confections they sell to kids.
According to Scott Faber, an advocate with the Environmental Working Group, I believe RFK and his team are realizing the limits of their ability to influence others.
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