While the decision to remove artificial food dyes is typically something people across the political spectrum can get on board with, some say it’s missing the forest for the trees to single out substances that do not have a clear link to chronic illness while existing programs providing people with healthy foods are slashed in federal budget cuts.

“While removing specific ingredients may create the illusion of meaningful action, it potentially diverts resources from more impactful health initiatives and promotes a simplistic ‘natural equals healthy’ narrative that doesn’t hold up to scientific scrutiny,” [said Jessica Steier, a public health expert].

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Included in the 10,000 jobs cut from the HHS were also officials who monitored the food supply for contaminants at the FDA, which in the massive overhaul of federal agencies is estimated to be losing 20% of its workforce. … In fact, several decisions made in the first 100 days of the Trump administration have hobbled existing efforts to increase access to healthy foods.

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