Introduction to the “Make America Healthy Again” Movement
The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement, promoted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has gained significant traction in statehouses across the United States. This movement aims to implement various health policy changes, including the regulation of synthetic dyes in food products. According to a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, approximately 75 bills related to food dyes were introduced in 37 states in 2025.
State-Level Efforts to Regulate Synthetic Dyes
West Virginia has become the first state to ban seven synthetic dyes from food products, with the bill sponsored by Republican legislator Adam Burkhammer. Burkhammer’s decision to introduce the bill was motivated by his personal experience with his foster children, who struggled with hyperactivity after consuming foods containing synthetic dyes. After removing these dyes from their diet, Burkhammer noticed a significant improvement in their behavior.
Other states have also taken steps to regulate synthetic dyes, with six states introducing new laws or executive orders requiring warning labels on food products containing certain dyes or banning their sale in schools. California has had a law regulating food dyes since 2023. The FDA has also taken action, outlawing the use of Red No. 3 dye in early 2025.
Industry Response and Bipartisan Support
Major food companies, including Nestle, Hershey, and PepsiCo, have pledged to eliminate at least some color additives from their products over the next year or two. The Consumer Brands Association, a trade group for food manufacturers, has called on its members to voluntarily eliminate federally certified artificial dyes from their products by the end of 2027.
The bipartisan support for bills targeting food dyes and ultraprocessed food is notable, with several red states proposing legislation modeled on California’s 2023 law. Andy Baker-White, senior director of state health policy for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, comments, “It’s not very often you see states like California and West Virginia at the forefront of an issue together.”
Broader Implications and Future Developments
The MAHA movement has sparked a range of health policy changes, including restrictions on SNAP benefits and the promotion of raw milk consumption. However, not all proponents of the movement agree on which foods to target, with some focusing on sugar and sodium while others prioritize artificial dyes.
As the movement continues to gain momentum, policymakers expect further flashpoints, including debates over vaccine access and the regulation of chemicals and pesticides. Congress has yet to act on most MAHA proposals, but state lawmakers are poised to tackle many of these issues in the coming year.
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