Earlier this month, the , U. S. Food and Drug Administration , banned the use of purple dye No. 3 , from the region’s food supply, citing reports that have found the colour to cause cancer in animals.
Usually called erythrosine or FD&, C Red No. 3 or Red 3, purple dye No. More than three decades earlier, 3 was prohibited from being used in cosmetics.
The walk was praised by many of the region’s significant public health officials, and the director of the , Center for Science , in the Public Interest,  , Dr.  , Peter Lurie, called the ,” the unsustainable twice normal in which Red 3 was banned from lips but permitted in chocolate” a “welcome, but much late, action from the FDA”.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the previous presidential candidate nominated by incoming President , Donald Trump , to direct the , Department of Health and Human Services, listed getting rid of things like purple dye No. 3 as one of his best interests.
” The first thing I’d do isn’t going to cost you anything because I’m just gonna tell the cereal companies, take all the dyes out of their food” , , Kennedy said in October , when asked what actions he would take if he was appointed a position.
Banning the material follows Kennedy’s” Create America Healthy Afterwards” plan, or MAHA.
According to the , MAHA Alliance , super PAC, launched in 2024 to drive past Kennedy followers to vote for , Donald Trump , in the presidential poll,  , MAHA seeks  , to” to destroy the business grip on our state agencies that has led to widespread chronic disease, environmental degradation and rampant people distrust”.
The PAC continued, stating that its objectives included “prioritizing regenerative agriculture, preserving natural habitats, and removing toxins from our food, water, and air.”
Other seemingly harmless substances may be removed from our favorite grocery store products as America moves toward a potentially “healthy” future.
Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a chemical used in , U. S.  , foods, often as a color additive. A , U. S. Department of Agriculture , database found the substance in , over 12, 000 brand-name products. According , to the , Center for Science , in the Public Interest, it is likely that number is much higher as many companies will just refer to titanium dioxide as an “artificial color”.
A safety evaluation , conducted by the , European Food Safety Authority , found the substance is” no longer considered safe”. According to the study, when humans ingest food-grade titanium dioxide, small particles can accumulate in the body, causing genetic damage. Additionally, it can cause harm to the nervous and immune systems.
Public health groups, including the , Environmental Working Group, the , Environmental Defense Fund , and the , Center for Science , in the Public Interest, have  , petitioned the FDA , to ban the substance’s use in food.
Despite warnings, titanium dioxide can still be found in many of the products Georgians use in large group dinners, including Banquet-brand Country Sausage Gravy and Kraft Reduced-Fat Cheese, according to the , U. S. Department of Agriculture , database.
rBST
Recombinant bovine somatotropin, or rBST, is a synthetic hormone created to increase milk production in dairy cows is found in almost all , U. S.  , dairy products unless marked otherwise.
According , to , Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, this substance is also found in many items that use milk in their formation, including yogurt, ice cream, cheese and a Southern food favorite, butter.
Not permitted in the , European Union, Canada and many other countries, some research compiled by , Breast Cancer Prevention Partners , has found that rBST can stimulate the growth of human breast cancer cells.
Women with higher rBST levels in their blood have a higher risk of developing the disease, according to other research.
Propylparaben
China, the EU and , California , have all banned use of propylparaben, a preservative used in cosmetics, food and drugs.
Propylparaben can be found in sweet favorites like cake mixes and some prepackaged cinnamon rolls, according to the , Environmental Working Group, which stated that the preservative” should not be used in personal care or cosmetic products.”
Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene, a substance used in the production of decaffeinated coffee, spices and hops for beer, was  , banned by the , Environmental Protection Agency , last year, after years of pushing for it. However, the FDA has continued to allow TCE use.
In 2014, the EPA identified cancer risks for people who had worked at places that used trichloroethylene-based solvents, and , according to the National Toxicology Program, TCE is officially a carcinogen.
A , National Library of Medicine , report found traces , of the substance in foods ranging from butter to apple pie, coleslaw with dressing to cream cheese, all foods you would be hard-pressed to find a Southern barbecue without.
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