Trump administration's MAHA initiative making your kitchen healthier
Major food giants commit to cleaner ingredients
General Mills announced that 85% of its U.S. portfolio is already free of FD&C (Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act-approved) artificial dyes, with plans to remove the remaining dyes by 2027. Their cereals, including well-known brands like Lucky Charms and Trix, will be reformulated by summer 2026.
Kraft Heinz targets beverages and desserts, including brands like Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, and Jell-O, which currently contain artificial dyes. The company also confirmed it will not launch new U.S. products containing these dyes.
PepsiCo aims to remove artificial colors from snack brands such as Lay's and Tostitos by the end of this year.
In-N-Out Burger has replaced artificial colors with natural ingredients like turmeric and beta-carotene in several menu items and is working on healthier ingredient swaps for ketchup and fries.
Why the push? The health risks of artificial dyes
Live Events
Provide no nutritional benefit.
Pose measurable risks to children's health and development.
Have been included in foods without consumers' knowledge or consent.
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
The Trump administration's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative is driving a transformation in the U.S. food industry by targeting harmful artificial dyes and chemicals commonly found in popular products. This unprecedented government-industry collaboration has already secured commitments from major food companies to reformulate iconic brands, removing synthetic colors linked to health risks, especially in children.With nearly 70% of American children's calories coming from ultra-processed foods laden with these additives, MAHA aims to reduce chronic diseases like obesity , diabetes, and neurodevelopmental disorders by making everyday foods safer and more nutritious.As a result, kitchens across the country are poised to become healthier, reflecting a bold new era of food transparency and public health focus.In a landmark push aligned with MAHA's goals, food industry leaders like General Mills and Kraft Heinz have pledged to eliminate all artificial colors from their U.S. product lines by the end of 2027. These commitments follow earlier moves by companies such as PepsiCo , McCormick, and fast-food chains like In-N-Out Burger and Steak 'n Shake, which have already begun removing synthetic dyes and replacing them with natural alternatives.Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a key proponent of the MAHA initiative, has been vocal about the dangers of petroleum-based artificial colors. He argues these compounds:The FDA has responded by intensifying its review of food chemicals and announcing plans to phase out several synthetic dyes, including FD&C Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and others by the end of next year. The agency revoked authorization for Red No. 3 earlier this year due to cancer concerns observed in animal studies.This reformulation trend not only benefits public health but also aligns with growing consumer demand for transparency and cleaner labels. Surveys show that a majority of Americans prefer foods with natural ingredients and fewer synthetic additives.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Half of paediatric epilepsy cases now fully curable, say experts
Nagpur: There is hope for thousands of families battling paediatric epilepsy, as doctors say up to 60% of such cases are now fully curable thanks to modern medicines. "Nearly 50 to 60 per cent of paediatric epilepsy cases are now fully curable with newer medicines. And up to 80 per cent of cases can be effectively controlled. As two out of every five patients with paediatric epilepsy live in India, there is an urgent need to focus on improving diagnosis and treatment here," said Dr Amarjeet Wagh, speaking at the National Paediatric Epilepsy Conclave underway in Nagpur. Experts explained that epilepsy in children is different from adults. Children's developing brains are more sensitive but also respond well to treatment if diagnosed early. "There are many reasons behind childhood epilepsy," said Dr Vishwanath Kulkarni, another senior neurologist at the conference. "Some children develop seizures due to genetic conditions, some because of birth-related issues, infections, or injuries. The good news is that many of these cases can achieve full cure, especially if treated early." One of the big highlights from the conference was the announcement about the Genetic Registry of India, which is currently being developed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "The Genetic Registry will help us collect data on which types of genetic changes cause epilepsy in children across India," explained Dr Wagh. "In simple terms, it will help doctors know which treatments will work best for particular types of epilepsy. It is like having a medical map to guide us better," added Dr Vinit Wankhede. Doctors stressed that lack of awareness leads many families to delay seeking proper treatment. In some places, epilepsy still carries social stigma, leading to secrecy and poor care. "With modern treatments, children with epilepsy can go to school, play, and live normal lives," said Dr Vilas Jadhav, president of MAHA-AOPN. BOX Public awareness campaign and podcasts In a major step towards public education, the MAHA-AOPN conference organisers have launched a special public awareness campaign this year. "We are recording podcasts featuring the best doctors in paediatric neurology, right here during the Nagpur conference," Dr Kulkarni revealed. "These will soon be available on various platforms like YouTube and audio apps, so that parents and families anywhere can listen and learn. " Doctors said these podcasts will cover topics such as how to recognise early signs of seizures in babies and children, when to seek medical help, the importance of sticking to treatment, and myths and facts about epilepsy.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Israeli airstrikes kill 34 in Gaza: Trump eyes truce ‘within a week'; UN aid looted
34 people were killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes, according to health officials. The strikes began late Friday and continued till Saturday morning. The dead included 12 people killed at the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, where displaced people were sheltering, and eight more in nearby apartments, according to staff at Shifa Hospital where the bodies were taken. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Six others were killed in southern Gaza when a strike hit their tent in Muwasi, the hospital reported. The attacks come as US President said there could be a ceasefire agreement within the next week. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, he said, 'We're working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of.' Israel's minister for strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, is expected to arrive in Washington next week for talks on Gaza's ceasefire, as reported by news agency AP. Negotiations have been on and off since Israel broke the latest ceasefire in March and continued its military campaign in Gaza. So far, the war has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which says more than half of the dead are women and children. Families of Israeli hostages hope Trump's role in securing the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran will increase pressure for a deal in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister has gained strong public support because of the conflict with Iran. Hamas has said it is willing to free all hostages in exchange for an end to the war. But Netanyahu insists the war will only end if Hamas is disarmed and its leaders are exiled, conditions Hamas has rejected. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza are enduring severe shortages of food and other essentials. After blocking all food for two and a half months, Israel has allowed only limited supplies into the territory since mid-May. efforts to distribute food have been disrupted by armed gangs looting trucks and by desperate crowds unloading supplies from convoys.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Duncan Hines parent Conagra Brands says it will phase out artificial colors
HighlightsConagra Brands, the parent company of Duncan Hines and Slim Jim, announced it will discontinue the use of artificial colors in its frozen foods by the end of this year and across its entire portfolio by the end of 2027. The company will not offer products containing artificial colors to K-12 schools starting from the 2026-2027 school year, aligning with similar commitments made by Kraft Heinz and General Mills. The federal government has increased scrutiny on artificial colors, with a recent ban on the dye Red 3 and plans to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026, relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry. Conagra Brands , the parent company of Duncan Hines , Slim Jim and other brands, is the latest big food company to say it's discontinuing the use of artificial dyes. In a statement released Wednesday - the same day as a similar statement from Nestle - Chicago-based Conagra said it will remove artificial colors from its frozen foods by the end of this year. Conagra's frozen brands include Marie Callender's, Healthy Choice and Birds Eye. Conagra said it won't offer products containing artificial colors to K-12 schools by the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year, and it will work to discontinue artificial dyes across its entire portfolio by the end of 2027. Kraft Heinz and General Mills made similar pledges earlier this month. The federal government has stepped up its scrutiny of artificial colors in recent months. In January, days before President Donald Trump took office, the U.S. regulators banned the dye called Red 3 from the nation's food supply, nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of potential cancer risk. In April, Trump's Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency would take steps to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026, largely by relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry . Many of Conagra's products already make a point of using natural dyes . On a jar of Vlasic kosher pickle spears, Conagra notes that they're colored with turmeric, not the synthetic Yellow 5. For the cheesy color in its frozen vegetable sides or its Orville Redenbacher popcorn, Conagra uses annatto, a plant extract. But some of Conagra's products still rely on synthetic colors. Duncan Hines' Comstock County Cherry pie filling uses Red 40, for example, while its Creamy Strawberries n' Cream Frosting uses both Red 40 and Yellow 5. Conagra's Swiss Miss Butterscotch pudding contains Yellow 6, Red 40 and Blue 1.
