Trump FDA Allows Deceptive Food Labels Despite Ban Pledge

Trump’s FDA announced in February 2025 that it would allow food manufacturers to label products “no artificial colors” even when they contain potentially dangerous substances like titanium dioxide, provided the dyes are not petroleum-based. This reversal contradicts the agency’s earlier 2025 pressure on companies to phase out petroleum-based dyes entirely and represents a significant retreat from the stated goals of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, whose Make America Healthy Again movement positioned removing toxins from food as a cornerstone policy.

Health experts and consumer advocates criticize the new labeling standard as deceptive and ineffective. Thomas Galligan, principal scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, stated that the move “is going to cause confusion and allow some companies to mislead folks about the colors that are present in their foods,” noting that the rules are already riddled with loopholes enabling consumer deception. Galligan emphasized that a complete ban is the only effective measure to protect consumers, contradicting claims by Kennedy and the FDA that the policy represents progress.

Titanium dioxide, a naturally derived ingredient now permitted under the new rules, is banned in the European Union because regulators could not conclude it is safe and expressed concern it damages genes. The substance accumulates in organs, is a potential carcinogen, and is linked to neurotoxicity, intestinal inflammation, reproductive damage, and birth defects. The Environmental Working Group identified nearly 2,000 U.S. food products that may contain titanium dioxide, with estimates as high as 11,000, concentrated heavily in candy, cakes, cookies, and desserts.

Kennedy defended the policy as enabling companies to adopt “safer, naturally derived alternatives,” framing it as advancing the Make America Healthy Again agenda. However, the Environmental Working Group co-founder Ken Cook characterized the shift as “another broken promise,” stating that Trump and Kennedy pledged outright bans on dangerous food chemical additives to their base but instead settled for unenforceable handshake agreements with industry, leaving accountability and enforcement entirely uncertain.

The FDA has ignored a 2023 petition from five major U.S. public health advocacy groups requesting withdrawal of titanium dioxide approval for food use. Meanwhile, more than 25 states are independently considering bans on synthetic food dyes and other food chemical additives, with West Virginia and Texas having already enacted restrictions, effectively replacing federal action with state-level protection.

(Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/20/fda-artificial-colors-food)