Bad Beet

“Less than three months after he declared war on synthetic food dyes, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has already secured the cooperation of the makers of some of America’s most colorful culinary products. If they fulfill their promises, Jell-O snacks, Kool-Aid beverages, and Lucky Charms cereals, among a host of other foods, will be rid of synthetic dyes by the end of 2027.” But it turns out these efforts that have showed promise still might melt in RFK Jr’s hands. NYT (Gift Article): Kennedy’s Battle Against Food Dyes Hits a Roadblock: M&M’s. “Kirk Vashaw, the fourth-generation head of Spangler Candy, which makes Dum-Dums lollipops and candy canes, said that the company has made some products with natural flavors and colors since the 1980s … “They have never sold well because the taste isn’t the same … If people are celebrating and eating treats, they don’t want to be tasting beets.” (RFK, I’m sure we can work out a compromise. How about you let us keep our life-saving vaccines and we agree to taste the beets?)