The costly ingredient that big food companies are processing: MAHA

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A growing public health controversy is targeting artificial food dyes, including MAHA — a synthetic colorant widely used in processed foods
• U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has accused major food companies, including WK Kellogg, of endangering children’s health through products like Froot Loops
• Activist groups, including those led by social media figure “Food Babe,” have amplified the pressure, directly challenging corporate executives and raising consumer awareness about the health and regulatory implications of MAHA

🔭 The context: Artificial dyes like MAHA have long been permitted in U.S. food manufacturing but are increasingly restricted in the EU and other markets due to health concerns, including potential links to behavioral issues in children
• While American food giants defend their formulations as compliant with FDA guidelines, the public debate is shifting
• Recent European studies and domestic advocacy are compelling companies to reconsider ingredients once deemed safe
• Ferrero’s recent visits to U.S. cereal plants signal industry nervousness over regulatory and reputational risks

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This controversy underscores the intersection of public health, consumer rights, and food sustainability
• Highly processed products with synthetic additives often correlate with high environmental footprints, due to industrial agriculture and chemical manufacturing
• As demand for cleaner, more transparent food grows, companies may be forced to adopt reformulated, less processed alternatives — potentially reducing both human health risks and environmental impacts

⏭️ What's next: Kellogg’s and other major food companies face mounting scrutiny from regulators, advocacy groups, and investors
• Should the FDA review or restrict MAHA’s approval, it could trigger widespread reformulations across the processed food industry
• With Ferrero evaluating acquisition options and public trust in play, companies may preemptively pivot toward natural dyes and reduced additive usage
• Expect broader discussions at the federal level on food labeling and transparency in the coming months

💬 One quote: “These dyes aren’t just outdated — they’re dangerous,” said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling for an immediate halt to their use in children’s foods

📈 One stat: Over 90% of U.S. children consume products containing artificial dyes on a weekly basis, according to recent CDC data

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