Dunkin’ Brands praised for eliminating dyes

The Food and Drug Administration might be derelict when it comes to protecting children from the behavioral effects of synthetic dyes, but parents are increasingly seeking safer and more natural foods for their families.  And companies are paying attention to parents.  The most recent example is the case of Dunkin’ Brands, parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.  We congratulate Dunkin’ for listening to parents’ concerns about food dyes and for committing to phase out these chemicals in favor of safer ingredients by the end of 2018.  This commitment doesn’t transform the nutritional quality of donuts or ice cream, but it is a commendable step in the right direction.

We hope more restaurant chains and food manufacturers continue to adopt similar policies.  And until the FDA pulls the plug on synthetic dyes, we hope California passes legislation pending there which would require warning labels on dyed foods.