"Make America Healthy Again": U.S. Food Reform, Chemical Bans, and What Canada Can Learn
- medilinkbc
- Jun 24
- 5 min read
By Dr. Jean-Pierre Kabongo, MD | June 2025
A bold public health revolution is quietly reshaping America’s food system—one banned chemical at a time. Under the leadership of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign is targeting the deep roots of chronic disease: the ultra-processed, artificially colored, and chemically sweetened foods saturating the American diet.
From Candy to Cancer: The New Era of U.S. Food Bans
As of mid-2025, the U.S. has initiated or announced bans on several food chemicals and additives found in countless everyday products. These reforms are not symbolic—they are already reshaping the supply chains of major food companies and altering what’s allowed on grocery store shelves.
What Has Been Banned (Past, Present and future)
Here are some key food additives and chemicals that have been banned or are currently being phased out in the U.S.:
FD&C Red No. 3: Banned in foods starting January 2027 and in drugs by January 2028, Red No. 3 is a synthetic dye used to give bright red or pink coloring to products such as candies, pastries, maraschino cherries, fruit cocktail, and cake decorations. It has been linked to thyroid tumors in animal studies, prompting the FDA to take regulatory action after decades of concern.
Citrus Red No. 2: Revoked as of April 2025, this synthetic dye was used to color the skins of oranges, particularly in Florida, to give them a more uniformly ripe appearance, even if the fruit was not fully matured. Though the dye was only applied to the peel and not consumed directly, studies linked it to cancer risk in animal models, raising concerns about potential contamination of the fruit’s edible parts during peeling or juicing.
Orange B: Once used as a color additive in sausage casings, Orange B was rarely used in recent decades but remained technically allowed until its authorization was formally withdrawn. It served primarily a visual function to enhance the appearance of hot dog and sausage surfaces, but its toxicity concerns and lack of ongoing commercial use made its removal an easy regulatory step.
Propylparaben: Scheduled for future removal, this preservative has been commonly used to extend shelf life in baked goods, tortillas, processed vegetables, and even cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
It helps prevent mold and yeast growth. However, studies have found that it may act as an endocrine disruptor, interfering with hormone function and potentially impacting fertility and reproductive health.
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene): Currently under FDA review, these chemicals are antioxidants used to prevent oils and fats from going rancid, thereby extending the shelf life of products like breakfast cereals, potato chips, snack bars, and chewing gum. They have raised health concerns due to links with endocrine disruption and cancer in animal studies, though regulatory opinions vary between countries.
Titanium Dioxide: Under consideration for phase-out, this whitening agent is used to enhance the appearance of products like frostings, powdered donuts, chewing gum, salad dressings, and sauces by making them appear brighter or more opaque. Although previously considered inert, newer studies suggest it may have genotoxic effects, meaning it could damage DNA when consumed in large or frequent doses—leading the European Union to ban it in food in 2022 and prompting similar action in the U.S.
These bans reflect a growing awareness of how chemical additives in processed foods contribute to chronic diseases, developmental issues, and long-term health risks. As America pushes forward with its “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, these regulatory shifts are expected not only to improve public health domestically but also to influence food policy globally, especially in countries like Canada where similar chemicals remain in circulation. Additionally, several states—including Arkansas, Utah, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, and Idaho—have been approved to restrict the use of SNAP (food stamp) benefits for purchasing sugary drinks, candy, and processed snacks, beginning as early as 2026.
Why These Additives Were Banned
The bans are based on a growing body of research linking these additives to serious health concerns. Here’s why they’re being removed:- Red No. 3: Associated with thyroid tumors in animal studies and is considered a possible human carcinogen.- BHA and BHT: Linked to endocrine disruption and cancer in animal studies.- Propylparaben: Can interfere with hormone function and may reduce fertility.- Titanium Dioxide: Potential genotoxic effects (DNA damage) in large quantities.- Synthetic Dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6): Implicated in hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children. These findings align with regulations in the European Union, where many of these chemicals are already banned or heavily restricted.
How Does Canada Compare?
While Canada has taken steps to improve food safety and public health, it has not adopted the kind of bold, centralized reforms seen in the U.S. under Kennedy. Here’s how the two countries compare:
- Synthetic food dyes: Still permitted in Canada (e.g., Red 40, Yellow 5), while the U.S. is phasing them out.
- Titanium dioxide: Legal in Canada, but under review in the U.S.
- SNAP-style restrictions: Canada has no equivalent to restricting sugary foods through public assistance since our system here offers money— which can be used to buy anything— as compared to the US where food only is given to the needy.
- Nutrition labeling: Canada has had mandatory front-of-package warning labels since 2022.
- School food regulations: Vary by province in Canada; similar variation exists across U.S. states.
- Junk food ads to children: Quebec has longstanding restrictions; the U.S. is developing similar policies.
- Soda taxes: Proposed in Canada but not implemented; used in certain U.S. cities only.
In short, Canada’s approach is more fragmented and less aggressive. While some initiatives exist, none match the current intensity or scope of the U.S. 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign.
The Future of Food Policy: What Comes Next
If Kennedy’s reforms succeed in improving health outcomes—particularly obesity, diabetes, and childhood behavior disorders—it is likely that other countries, including Canada, will follow suit. Expect to see:- More food companies reformulating products to meet U.S. regulatory standards.- Increased consumer demand for additive-free, minimally processed foods.- Renewed calls in Canada for taxes on sugary drinks and stronger advertising restrictions aimed at children.
Final Thoughts: Time for Canada to Act?
The U.S. has shifted from treating food reform as a fringe issue to making it a core public health strategy. Canada—despite its progressive healthcare reputation—has not yet taken comparable action. But the public is watching, and with increasing awareness about how diet fuels disease, the pressure is mounting.
If we truly believe in prevention over pills, we must ask: Should Canada have its own “Make Canada Healthy Again” movement?
The answer to this critical question is already found in the HOMESTEADICATION movement that we have started…
I you think so, please join the HOMESTEADICATION movement by clicking on the following button to reclaim your true health care over our current sick care model.
This model is seriously being strained and is showing its limitations in terms of extended emergency room wait time (estimated at 10 hours), excessive wait time before seeing the specialist (6 to 12 months even more), undignifying "hallway medicine" that has developed in our overcrowded hospitals…
Thanks for reading and acting…,
Dr. Jean-Pierre Kabongo is a Canadian Family Physician, public health advocate, and founder of the Homesteadication movement, a grassroots philosophy that blends healthy food, self-care, and sustainable living.
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