Say Goodbye to Your Favorite Snacks: These Popular Foods Have Ingredients RFK Jr. Wants to Ban

If you've paid attention to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s comments about food dyes and other ingredients, it may not be surprising that he wants them off the shelves. In April 2025, RFK Jr., U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, announced that he would work with the food industry to eliminate eight petroleum-based synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026.

With the FDA revoking authorization for Red Dye No. 3 in January 2025 and phasing out all eight petroleum-based synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026, the remaining dyes include FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, and others as listed by the FDA.

Removing artificial dyes from popular foods isn't a new idea, however. General Mills announced in 2015 that it would be removing all synthetic dyes from its cereal products. In early 2016, the company started selling a "natural" version of their popular Trix cereal, which included natural colors instead of food dyes, but the original version was back on the shelves in 2017. The reason? Customers complained that they liked the original better, according to CNBC.

Not every consumer is on board with the changes companies are making, but regardless, we'll start to see more and more businesses replace synthetic dyes with natural color additives.

While Red Dye No. 3 isn't present in most foods anymore, many processed foods contain the remaining six synthetic dyes. If you're wondering whether your favorite snacks may disappear from grocery shelves, we've compiled a list of some of the most popular foods that contain one of these food dyes.

The use of artificial dyes in food products has a long history in the U.S. In recent years, many have questioned the safety of these ingredients, especially since some of these ingredients are banned in other countries.

Although the FDA has approved the use of these dyes in food and other products, RFK Jr. wants these ingredients removed from the shelves due to:

• Lack of nutritional value
• Possible link to behavior issues in children
• Possible link to chronic health conditions
• Promotion of unhealthy, processed foods

In many of these cases, the evidence is mixed, but there is general agreement that ultra-processed foods should be avoided and only eaten in moderation.

Many companies have already started the process of replacing synthetic dyes with natural color additives, such as the FDA-approved Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and calcium phosphate.

However, there are still many snacks that contain synthetic dyes. Here are some food items to look out for that may be artificially-colored.

Those chewy fruit-shaped gummies kids love? Well, most people know they're more of a candy than a nutritious snack. But looks can be deceiving, especially when the package says, "made with real fruit." Although popular brands like Welch's do include fruit puree, they also include synthetic dyes like red 40 and blue 1.

Cereal is a popular breakfast item, especially for families with young kids. Some of the most beloved children's cereals, however, include some of the petroleum-based food dyes RFK Jr. is trying to get rid of. Popular choices like Froot Loops, Lucky Charms, and Cap'n Crunch are just a few of the options that may be affected.

One surprising snack that may contain food dye is pickles. While this isn't true of all brands or varieties, some include yellow 5 dye, also known as tartrazine, to enhance the flavor of the pickles. There are brands, like Trader Joe's, that sell pickles without any artificial dyes, so be sure to check the ingredients list before purchasing.

When you're craving something salty, you probably reach for a bag of chips. Many chip varieties are made without food dyes, but popular snacks like Doritos and Cheetos contain artificial colors.

Yogurt is often considered a healthy snack, but not all yogurt is created equal. Many yogurt brands are loaded with sugar and, in some cases, synthetic food dyes as well. This is especially true with many yogurt varieties targeted towards children, since they come in lots of fun colors.

Oatmeal is another meal or snack that can be incredibly healthy. However, how healthy oatmeal is depends on the ingredients. Oats on their own are high in protein and fiber, but some instant oatmeal contains artificial colors to make them more visually appealing.

Protein bars are a great way to get the protein you need on the go. Some are healthier than others, and it depends a lot on the ingredients. Certain protein bars and even granola bars contain artificial dyes.

Before grabbing some pre-made frosting from the store, check the ingredients list. Although buying shelf-stable frosting from popular brands like Pillsbury or Betty Crocker may be convenient, many use synthetic dyes to color the frosting.

Speaking of frosting, the same type of frosting you can buy in a jar is also used to frost many of the cookies and cupcakes you'll find in the bakery section of the grocery store. You'll also usually find artificial dyes in cookies or cakes that include rainbow sprinkles.

Whether you give it to your kids when they're not feeling well or you keep it on hand to make Jell-O Jigglers, Jell-O is a popular snack for kids. You can buy the Jell-O mix to keep in your pantry or purchase Jell-O cups at the grocery store. Either way, there's a good chance you'll find some kind of artificial food dye in the ingredients list.

Candy should be a treat, not necessarily a snack, but it's still something kids and adults alike enjoy. This treat is one of the worst culprits when it comes to foods with artificial dyes. It's not surprising that favorite candies like M&Ms, Skittles, and candy corn contain synthetic dyes, which give them their vibrant colors.