Health

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced a plan to phase out eight petroleum-based synthetic food dyes in the U.S., aligning with the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. The FDA will establish a national standard, revoke authorizations for certain dyes, and promote natural color additives. The announcement follows state-level bans in West Virginia and Utah and a prior federal ban on Red No. 3. Health advocates, including Dr. Mark Hyman and Vani Hari, supported the move, while Kennedy criticized media silence and hinted at future efforts to address sugar in food.

Helena Hjalmarsson examines the rising autism rate and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s commitment to research, despite pushback from senators with pharmaceutical ties.

On April 16, 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a significant increase in autism rates, now at 1 in 31 for eight-year-old children, based on CDC’s ADDM Network data. Kennedy’s press conference highlighted the severe impacts of profound autism, sparking polarized reactions. Critics, including autism advocates and parents, argue his remarks perpetuate harmful stereotypes, while supporters praise his acknowledgment of autism’s environmental causes and call for urgent research.