Context:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is addressing the surge in chronic diseases in the U.S., attributing them to toxic chemicals in food, particularly petroleum-based synthetic dyes. The U.S. food regulatory system, unlike Europe's, allows companies to self-certify the safety of many food additives without FDA approval, resulting in approximately 1,000 chemicals in the food supply unknown to regulators. Research often fails to assess the long-term health effects of these chemicals or their interactions, contributing to the rise in obesity and related diseases. Biologists like Amy Shyer and Alan Rodrigues are investigating the potential harms of additives such as aspartame, which may affect cellular processes. Kennedy is pushing for the removal of synthetic dyes but acknowledges limited cooperation from the food industry, highlighting the need for better-funded research and regulatory updates to address chronic disease risks associated with diet.

Dive Deeper:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has identified synthetic food dyes as a significant factor in the U.S.'s rising rates of obesity and chronic illnesses, and he aims to eliminate these dyes from the food supply within 18 months.

• The U.S. regulatory system, particularly the GRAS pathway, allows food companies to self-certify the safety of additives, leading to many chemicals in the food supply being unregulated and potentially harmful without proper FDA oversight.

• Research on food additives is limited, often focusing on acute effects like cancer or organ damage, while neglecting the potential long-term impacts on health and how these chemicals might interact with one another.

• Scientists at Rockefeller University are studying the effects of common additives like aspartame, discovering that they can alter cellular structures, though the implications for human health remain unclear.

• Additives may indirectly harm health by making foods more appealing and leading to overeating, thus contributing to obesity and increasing the risk of diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

• Kennedy's efforts to phase out synthetic dyes have received little commitment from food companies, and while natural alternatives are being considered, their safety and health impacts are not well understood.

• The article calls for increased government investment in food safety and nutrition research to better understand and mitigate the chronic disease risks posed by current dietary practices, as current regulatory frameworks are outdated and insufficient.