In a March 28 speech in West Virginia, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said “So the loneliness, the dispossession, the crisis that we have in mental health, in suicide, in ADD, ADHD, all of these are linked — and particularly to the dyes,” Kennedy also said in that same speech, given alongside Gov. Patrick Morrisey, “It’s very clear the dyes that Gov. Morrisey is banning, all of them are linked in very, very strong studies to ADHD and to cancers. So we’re seeing an explosion in cancers in this country.” At a recent press conference he also said “Sugar is poison”

As usual, there is almost no evidence to back up these claims. There are some reasons to eliminate food additives and limit sugar intake. In this post I will talk about those reasons without making up spurious associations that have no real evidence.

Sugar

It is clear that too much sugar is not good for you. It can lead to tooth decay in children (which water fluoridation helps prevent). It can also lead to liver disease, increased triglycerides, obesity and heart disease. A modest amount is fine. High fructose corn syrup is a bigger problem, which Kennedy does not even mention. See my previous post Sugar and High Fructose Corn Syrup. Sugar in excess is not good for you. Modest amounts are not associated with any health problems. Sugar is not poison!

Food dyes and food additives

There are a number of food additives that have been proven to be safe. These include:

• Guar Gum: A thickening agent derived from guar beans, used in various food products like ice cream and yogurt. 
• Xanthan Gum: A thickening agent and stabilizer used in salad dressings, soups, and sauces. 
• Inulin: A fiber substitute derived from chicory root, offering a smooth and creamy texture and supporting gut health. 
• Vinegar: A natural preservative, used in pickling, canning, and other applications. 
• Ascorbic Acid: The synthetic form of vitamin C, used as an antioxidant and preservative, also beneficial for immune support and iron absorption. 
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): Used as a flavor enhancer, generally considered safe. 
• Citric Acid: Naturally found in citrus fruits and used as an acidity regulator and preservative. 
• Beta-Carotene: A natural colorant used in various foods.
• Riboflavin: riboflavin is just vitamin B2. It is a food additive used for both fortification and coloring. It’s a yellow to orange-yellow crystalline powder that is naturally found in many foods and also produced synthetically for use as a food additive.

Most other food dyes and additives have not been tested adequately to prove they are not toxic. There is no real evidence that they cause cancer or any other health problem, but there is also not adequate evidence that they are safe. Removing these dyes and additives is a good idea, but is going to be difficult to accomplish because they are used in highly processed foods that are the biggest money maker for the big food industry.

Plastics

Microplastics and chemicals that leach from plastic containers are a much bigger health hazard than food additives. There is good evidence that chemicals from plastics cause harm, including affecting the endocrine development of children. See my previous post Toxic Chemicals We Regularly Consume and How to Stop Consuming Them. Secretary Kennedy has not even mentioned the health hazards of plastics.

“Explosion of Cancer”

In fact the incidence of most cancers, particularly lung cancer have decreased in recent years. The incidence of some cancers have increased minimally. See this report from the National Cancer Institute: Annual Report to the Nation 2025: Overall Cancer Statistics. There is not an explosion of cancer in the US as Secretary Kennedy claims.

Bottom Line

Sugar is not poison. Too much sugar is bad for you but modest amounts are not. You should avoid as much as possible foods that have added sugar or especially high fructose corn syrup. Quite a few food additives have been proven to be safe. Many others have not been adequately tested for toxicity in humans, but there is no evidence for a specific health hazard for any of them. There is no convincing evidence that they cause mental illness, cancer or ADHD. Removing these dyes and additives would be a good idea but will be difficult. Chemicals leached from plastics in food containers have proven health hazards. People should switch to glass containers where possible. There is no “explosion of cancer” in the US.