Baltimore Solar Editorial Board
U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, not too long ago reintroduced the “Do or Dye Act,” and it’s an enormous deal. The invoice, which picks up a key piece of Well being and Human Companies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Wholesome Once more” playbook, needs to kick eight nasty petroleum-based meals dyes — together with Crimson No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Blue No. 1 — out of our snacks and cereals.
These are the identical dyes linked to well being dangers, significantly in kids, and so they’re already banned in a number of nations. Certain, RFK Jr. could be a lightning rod and a few of his concepts are farfetched, however Democrats shouldn’t bolt simply because he’s on board. It is a trigger with historical past, science and voters on its facet and it’s one the place each side can really agree.
The risks of artificial meals dyes aren’t new information. A 2021 California report tied them to hyperactivity and behavioral points in youngsters. Some, like Crimson No. 3, have been flagged for most cancers dangers in animal research. For the reason that Nineteen Fifties, their use has skyrocketed 500%, a development that has frightened well being specialists.
Democrats have a observe report of tackling this type of factor: President John F. Kennedy tightened U.S. Meals and Drug Administration guidelines within the ’60s; the company banned dyes like Crimson No. 1 over attainable liver injury. In 1990, bipartisan help obtained Crimson No. 3 out of cosmetics. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, even signed a 2024 regulation banning six dyes in class lunches. This isn’t a partisan subject — it’s about protecting Individuals, particularly American youngsters, protected.
Sure, we all know RFK Jr.’s title could make some Democrats twitch, particularly along with his historical past of vaccine skepticism, which actually misses the mark. However dismissing this dye ban as a result of it aligns along with his agenda can be throwing out a good suggestion for no motive.
The science is stable and the politics are too. A 2023 YouGov ballot discovered 66% of Individuals, together with 62% of Democrats, need stricter guidelines on meals components. A 2024 Rasmussen Experiences survey confirmed 71% of oldsters — throughout celebration traces — help banning dyes linked to well being dangers.
Democrats can rating factors right here: Voters, particularly youthful ones and fogeys, are all in for cleaner meals. In a 2025 Pew Analysis Heart survey, 78% of Gen Z and Millennials stated they’d again candidates prioritizing public well being. Supporting Luna’s invoice is a no brainer for Dems trying to join with their base and swing voters.
Globally, the U.S. is behind the curve on this very important well being subject. The European Union slaps warning labels on meals with Crimson No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 for his or her affect on youngsters’ habits. International locations like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Norway have both banned these dyes or pushed firms to make use of pure choices like beet juice or turmeric. Massive manufacturers like Kraft have already reformulated merchandise for these markets, so why not right here? Luna’s invoice units a deadline of Dec. 31, 2026. We expect that’s an affordable timeline for billion-dollar manufacturers.
This would appear an particularly preferrred alternative for Democrats, with their historical past of combating for client security, to hitch Republicans and rating a bipartisan win for the well-being of all America — and assist reestablish their consumer-oriented model. The information’s clear, the voters are on board, and different nations are already there. Certainly, a majority of states are already transferring to impose synthetic dye bans of their very own and never simply on meals merchandise.
The laws might pose challenges for merchandise like Fortunate Charms breakfast cereal or Cheetos chips as they change to extra pure alternate options however that appears a small value to pay to deal with the assorted well being threats related to artificial meals dyes.
