(NewsNation) — As U.S. health officials urge foodmakers to phase out petroleum-based artificial colors in the nation’s food supply, a pediatrician who spoke with NewsNation believes it can’t happen soon enough.
“We know that (petroleum-based artificial colors) are connected to cancers in lab rats, and we know that they’re also connected to other forms of chronic inflammation,’ said Dr. Dyan Hes. “And we know that now, a lot of inflammation in the body is what leads to chronic disease in America. We have extremely high, high rates of adults and children with chronic illnesses in this country.”
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said at a news conference Tuesday that the agency would take steps to eliminate the synthetic dyes by the end of 2026, largely by relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who joined the gathering, said he had heard from food manufacturers but had no formal agreements with them.
While Hes hopes changes come quickly, she recognizes that it likely won’t be the reality.
“People think this is going to happen tomorrow,” she said. “We still have to be very vigilant about what we feed our children because a lot of these changes are not going to happen until 2026 in school foods and then 2027 or 2028, and it’s voluntary, it’s not mandatory. We want the food industry to get on board.”