MAHA Means No Red 40

In light of the new administration and the myriad of different officials that’ve been appointed, I feel it’s important to highlight some changes that might have gone unnoticed. There’s very few things in the world I dislike more than Health Secretary Kennedy’s agenda to “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA). It asks the American people to reject vaccination- leading to the increase of measles we’ve seen across the country- while restricting what can be purchased with SNAP benefits and uprooting public health administrations. The core goals of HHS, however, outline standards that would truly make America healthier.

A recent healthcare policy that has been outlined is the reduction of food coloring in American foods. This was implemented to target the obesity crisis in America as well as other behavioral conditions, like ADHD, that was believed to be linked to the presence of those dyes. While the truth is that these dyes do not cause any of these things directly (AP Psych students might remember correlation does not equal causation) the fact is that reducing or eliminating dyes is a step towards better public health overall. A majority of these dyes have been seen to be carcinogenic and are petrochemical based; replacing them with plant or vegetable juices will undoubtedly have better effects.

So, recently, there was the elimination of Orange B- it was never permitted for use in European nations and is now banned by the FDA. It’s true that eliminating these dyes is a step forward in the right direction and is one of the policies that I may accept- it should be acknowledged with a regard that Americans are becoming more conscious of the foods they eat- but it is not a be-all and end-all.

When considering obesity and ADHD in children, there are far more factors if we want to improve the quality of life for kids nationally and globally. ADHD is attributed to genetic factors, childhood exposure to toxins, substance problems during neonatal development and a majority of other factors. Targeting mothers who feel overwhelmed by a pregnancy or have substance abuse issues should be a priority for the public health officials of America. Limiting exposure to toxins as children are developing should be another priority. This, of course, goes bigger into the restriction of abortions after the Roe v Wade ruling and how despite claims that children are prioritized, the same does not go for mothers; the women who carry these children.

With obesity, it requires prioritization of making organic, balanced diets available for a lower cost. Processed foods are cheaper which links poverty and obesity together and it is more difficult for families of lower socioeconomic status to access sports and activities for children to do after school.

Ultimately, the restriction of food dyes in the Make America Healthy Agenda is a good step forward to improving the quality of America’s processed foods- but it is not an alternative to true, deep-cutting solutions. American public health will only succeed once it prioritizes the mothers of these children, the care of these children regardless of financial status, and the environmental health plus surroundings that the children grow up in. Regardless, I hope this is something to consider when you see the new Doritos- without dye.