Big Food ‘Transparency’ Campaign Seeks to Block Tough New Food Safety Laws

Americans are once again demanding higher standards for the food they eat, insisting that companies stop using chemicals known to harm health. But instead of listening to their customers, the world’s largest food and beverage companies have launched a “transparency” campaign – fronted by a longtime tobacco industry ally – and they are betting their old, tired political playbook will allow them to keep profiting from manufacturing unhealthy foods.

A wave of food safety bills across the U.S. – pushed by the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) coalition and others – has the ultra-processed food industry playing defense. Lawmakers in dozens of states have introduced at least 89 proposals this year seeking to restrict or ban synthetic dyes, chemical additives or ultra-processed foods. Their drive is based on strong scientific evidence tying ultra-processed foods to serious health concerns, especially cancer, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression, cardiovascular disease, and early death – and evidence showing that many ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive.

Red and blue states alike are responding by advancing legislation to improve the quality of America’s food supply. Texas and Louisiana will require warning labels on foods containing any of more than 40 dyes or additives. California banned multiple food dyes from school lunches and was the first to ban ultra-processed foods from schools. Utah and Virginia approved similar restrictions on synthetic dyes in school meals. Arizona and West Virginia passed measures to reduce ultra-processed foods and chemical additives served to children.