Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary’s move to eliminate petroleum-based food dyes from our food and medical supply chains is good news for public health. This decisive action addresses a long-standing issue that has concerned parents and healthcare professionals for decades. Kennedy is putting families’ health before industry greed.

For years, these synthetic dyes have permeated virtually every aspect of the American diet. From breakfast cereals and candies that color our children’s tongues, to medications intended to heal but which contain unnecessary chemical additives, these petroleum derivatives have become ubiquitous in our food supply. Their prevalence defies common sense. Why would we routinely incorporate industrial chemicals derived from petroleum into products consumed by our most vulnerable citizens?

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Scientific evidence has increasingly suggested links between artificial food colorings and adverse health effects, particularly in children. Research indicates possible connections to behavioral issues, hyperactivity, and attention deficits. Despite this mounting evidence, these dyes have remained standard ingredients in countless products marketed directly to children. Most concerning is that these synthetic dyes offer absolutely no nutritional benefits. As a matter of fact, they present possibly significant risks.

The traditional conservative principle of limited government intervention must be balanced against the fundamental responsibility to protect citizens from unnecessary harm. When market forces fail to adequately safeguard public health, particularly the health of children, measured and targeted regulation becomes appropriate. The FDA’s action against artificial food dyes exemplifies this balanced approach, addressing a specific health concern without imposing excessive regulatory burdens across the entire food industry.

This policy shift aligns with another core conservative value: parental authority and family autonomy. For too long, many conscientious parents have struggled to navigate supermarket aisles filled with artificially colored products. The extensive use of these dyes has effectively limited consumer choice rather than expanding it. By removing these unnecessary chemicals, the FDA enables parents to make healthier choices for their families without requiring a PhD in chemical compounds.

Kennedy and Makary deserve substantial praise for their leadership on this issue. Their willingness to challenge entrenched industry practices demonstrates commendable courage. By focusing on removing specific harmful ingredients rather than imposing comprehensive new regulatory frameworks, they have demonstrated a measured approach that respects market principles while addressing a significant public health concern.

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We should applaud this return to common-sense health policy that prioritizes the well-being of our greatest asset, the family.

The elimination of petroleum-based food dyes represents a pragmatic step toward a healthier future, one where children’s products are designed with their health as the primary consideration rather than merely their visual appeal or shelf life.

Dr. Ben Carson is the founder and chairman of the American Cornerstone Institute.