The big players in the fast food industry have once again proven their desire to follow the changing trends of consumer preferences. Tyson Foods, the largest supplier of meat to prominent fast food chains, has come forward with an ambitious reformulation plan to ditch petrol-based synthetic dyes from its recipes.
Petrol-based Synthetic Dyes: The Controversy
Petrol-based synthetic dyes have been at the center of a heated debate over their impact on human health. Seven dyes in particular have been identified as being linked to cancer and hyperactivity – namely, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. For instance, research has linked Red 40 to increased risk of cancer. Moreover, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 contain a human and animal carcinogen called benzidine, which is permitted in low levels. Studies suggest that ingestion of free benzidine significantly increases cancer risk, with one cancer case occurring per 1 million people. These concerns have been backed up by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC)**, which has banned the use of Red 40 and Yellow 5 in foods, with the condition that they would be restricted in only certain industries like those producing cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Impact on Tyson’s Retail Products
Tyson Foods CEO, Donnie King, revealed that the reformulation efforts do not apply to all products but rather to those that do contain synthetic dyes. This leaves many questions unanswered about how the changes will impact the flavor of the products. For instance, the company supplies Big AZ Chili Cheese Dogs, Hillshire Farm Cheddarwurst Dinner Sausages, and Big AZ Angus Cheddar Cheeseburgers to grocery stores and food vendors. These products contain synthetic colors, but the exact dyes are not disclosed on the company’s website.
- Examples include, manmade colors and flavorings, and natural alternatives like beet juice, pomegranate juice, turmeric, saffron, carrot juice, and paprika.
There are more than 40 brands owned by Tyson, including some of the most popular chicken nuggets, beef patties, and sausage varieties. However, most of these products do not contain synthetic dyes.
Tyson’s Commitment to Cleaning Up its Act
Tyson has taken a proactive approach to removing synthetic dyes from its products. The process began early in the year, and by the end of this month, all food products containing synthetic dyes will be reformulated. This is part of the company’s broader effort to ensure compliance with Regulatory Standards and maintain a commitment to customer safety. As King pointed out, the changes apply to most of the meat company’s retail-branded products, including Tyson chicken nuggets, which do not contain synthetic dyes.
No School Programs Affected
Despite the major overhaul, Tyson’s school nutrition programs remain untouched. As noted by King, products supplied to schools do not contain synthetic dyes. These include chicken patties, meatloaf, beef burgers, and hotdogs.
Why the Crackdown?
The pressure to reformulate its products comes from the efforts of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy has said that the aim is to address chronic diseases in children, such as ADHD, and other neurobehavioral problems linked to artificial food dyes. A report from California’s Environmental Protection Agency in 2021 highlighted the connection between artificial dyes and hyperactivity, as well as other neurobehavioral issues, particularly in children.
Other Food Giants on Board
Several other major food giants, such as Popeyes, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, and KFC, have also vowed to remove synthetic dyes from their products. Natural alternatives to these artificial colors are beet juice, pomegranate juice, turmeric, saffron, carrot juice, and paprika. Companies are now looking for more sustainable alternatives that do not contain synthetic additives.
The Call to Action
The ongoing efforts of various food manufacturers, like Tyson Foods, serve as a powerful call to action for consumers, regulators, and industry leaders to adopt better practices in the production of food products.
By taking proactive steps to remove synthetic dyes from their products, food companies can contribute to the creation of a healthier food culture.
