12 Shocking Additives In Fast Food RFK Jr Plans To Erase For Good

Fast food may be fast, but it’s not always clean, especially when loaded with questionable additives hiding in plain sight. These ingredients raise major health and ethical concerns.

Presidential hopeful RFK Jr. has vowed to clean up America’s food by targeting these culprits. His plan focuses on transparency, consumer safety, and phasing out synthetic substances that don’t belong on your plate.

Red 40

Red 40 is one of the most common artificial food colorings in fast food, found in sauces, snacks, and drinks. It’s linked to hyperactivity and other behavioral concerns, especially in children. RFK Jr. supports removing this additive to improve long term health outcomes.

Yellow 5

Used to brighten snacks, soft drinks, and processed foods, Yellow 5 has been linked to allergic reactions and behavioral issues. Critics argue it’s unnecessary and potentially harmful. RFK Jr. wants to eliminate synthetic dyes like this from foods aimed at children and families.

Yellow 6

Yellow 6 is a petroleum based dye found in everything from processed cheese to desserts. Studies suggest it may cause tumors in animals. RFK Jr. plans to prioritize its removal, highlighting growing concerns over its safety in everyday meals and mass marketed fast food.

Blue 1

Blue 1 is a synthetic dye added to candy, sports drinks, and ice cream. Although banned in some countries, it’s still legal in the U.S. RFK Jr. sees its removal as essential to aligning America’s food safety standards with global best practices.

Blue 2

Blue 2 is often added to baked goods and candy, but it’s under fire for potential links to brain tumors in animal studies. RFK Jr. views these risks as avoidable and believes natural alternatives should replace artificial dyes in food consumed regularly.

Brominated Vegetable Oil

BVO is used to stabilize citrus flavored sodas and sports drinks, but it’s linked to thyroid, liver, and heart issues. It’s banned in Europe and Japan. RFK Jr. plans to ban it nationwide, citing the additive’s proven risks and lack of necessity.

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Potassium Bromate

Common in breads and rolls, potassium bromate improves dough elasticity, but also poses cancer and reproductive risks. Though banned in many countries, it’s still allowed in U.S. products. RFK Jr. is pushing for a national ban to align with international food safety norms.

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Propylparaben

Propylparaben is a preservative used in baked goods and snack bars, and it’s been linked to hormone disruption and fertility concerns. RFK Jr. has criticized its use and aims to eliminate endocrine disrupting chemicals from everyday food to protect vulnerable consumers, especially children.

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Titanium Dioxide

Often used in candy and salad dressings to whiten or brighten food, titanium dioxide also appears in sunscreen and some flame retardants. RFK Jr. argues that substances with dual industrial uses should be nowhere near food and plans to advocate for their ban.

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Artificial Growth Hormones

Growth hormones used in livestock are controversial for their impact on human hormone levels. RFK Jr. wants to phase out these hormones in animal agriculture, supporting better labeling, transparency, and stricter regulations for what goes into the meat and dairy Americans consume.

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Pink Slime

This controversial meat filler, treated with ammonia and added to ground beef, raised public outcry years ago, but still appears in some food chains. RFK Jr. wants it banned entirely, citing concerns over safety, processing methods, and consumer trust in meat quality.

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Synthetic Sugar, Starch, and Seed Oils

Highly processed sweeteners and seed oils dominate fast food menus, often hidden behind vague labeling. RFK Jr. plans to regulate or phase out subsidized additives like these, aiming to curb metabolic disorders and improve national health through cleaner, more honest food policies.

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RFK Jr.’s plan isn’t just about politics; it’s about what’s on your plate. These 12 additives may soon disappear from fast food menus nationwide. Whether you’re team reform or just team clean eating, one thing’s clear: the fast food landscape could change dramatically under his watch.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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