Kennedy tells US food companies to remove artificial dyes

By Jessica DiNapoli

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told nutrient companies including PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz successful a gathering connected Monday that the Trump medication wants artificial dyes retired of the nutrient proviso earlier Kennedy leaves office, according to an email seen by Reuters.

Kennedy has pledged to tackle chronic illnesses by overhauling the U.S. diet. He has encouraged fast-food chains to power to beef tallow alternatively of effect oils for French fries, and pushed for bans connected additives similar nutrient colors.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, portion of the bureau Kennedy oversees, plans to enactment with the manufacture to make a national model connected nutrient dyes, according to the email, sent by the Consumer Brands Association, a commercialized radical representing PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz and different nutrient and user goods makers.

California past twelvemonth banned dyes from nutrient served successful schoolhouse lunches, and Virginia and New York State are considering akin measures.

Bloomberg News archetypal reported connected the treatment betwixt Kennedy and the nutrient companies.

According to the email, the FDA wants to "avoid authorities patchworks," oregon galore states making their ain laws connected the topic, which could make disorder and hurdles for planetary companies.

Kennedy "expects 'real and transformative' alteration by 'getting the worst ingredients out' of food," according to the email. He besides made wide that helium volition "take enactment unless the manufacture is consenting to beryllium proactive with solutions," the email states.

Consumer Brands Association CEO Melissa Hockstad said successful a connection that the radical looks guardant to continuing to enactment with Kennedy.

A PepsiCo spokesperson said the Cheetos-maker was focused connected "providing consumers with convenient, affordable and harmless foods and drinks - including much options with earthy ingredients, nary synthetic colors and reductions successful sugar, fat, and sodium."

Kraft-Heinz did not respond to a petition for comment.

(Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli successful New York; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)