Kennedy tells us food companies to remove artificial dyes

Written by Jessica Dinaboli

New York (Reuters) -Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Junior is food companies including Pepsico and Carft Heinz at a meeting on Monday that the Trump administration wants artificial dyes of food supply before Kennedy left his office, according to an email that Reuters saw.

Kennedy pledged to treat chronic diseases by repairing the American diet. Fast food chains encouraged switching to beef instead of seed oils for fried potatoes, and pushing them to ban add -ons like food colors.

The US Food and Drug Administration, part of the Kennedy agency, plans to work with the industry to create a federal framework on food dyes, according to the email, which was sent by the Consumer Branders Association, a commercial group representing Pepsico, Kraft Heinz and other food and consumer goods.

Last year, California prevented dyes from the food that is served in school lunch meals, Virginia and New York is studying similar measures.

Bloomberg News mentioned for the first time about the discussion between Kennedy and food companies.

According to e -mail, the Food and Drug Administration wants to “avoid Patchworks”, or many states that issue their own laws on this topic, which may create confusion and obstacles to international companies.

Kennedy “expects” real change and shift “by” getting the worst ingredients “food”, according to the email. He also explained that “action will be taken unless the industry is ready to be proactive with solutions,” says email.

Melissa Hawksadad, CEO of the Consumer brands Association, said in a statement that the group is looking to continue working with Kennedy.

A Pepsico spokesman said that the Cheetos maker focuses on “providing consumers with comfortable foods and drinks at reasonable and safe prices – including more options with natural ingredients, and there are no artificial colors and discounts in sugar, fat and sodium.”

Kraft-Heins did not respond to the comment.

(Jessica Danaboli’s reports in New York; edited by Rozlaba O’Brien)