As the 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) movement gains momentum, it's clear that dietary regulations are taking center stage in statehouses across the US. West Virginia has recently become the first state to ban seven synthetic dyes from food products, a move that was spearheaded by Adam Burkhammer, a Republican legislator who has adopted or fostered 10 children with his wife.
Burkhammer's experience with hyperactivity in one of his foster children led him to try an alternative diet, which included removing foods with synthetic dyes. The results were remarkable, and he went on to sponsor a bill that would ban these dyes from food sold in the state. The law was passed in March, making West Virginia the first state to take such a measure.
This is not an isolated incident, as 37 states have introduced bills aimed at regulating synthetic dyes, with some of them gaining significant traction. California has been at the forefront of this movement, having implemented a law regulating food dyes since 2023.
The MAHA agenda has gained strong support from Republicans, but it's also found bipartisan backing in some places. The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, created as part of the GOP's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, offers incentives to states that implement MAHA policies.
As the movement gains momentum, health officials are pushing for broader policy changes, including rolling back routine vaccinations and expanding the use of ivermectin for treatments beyond their approved uses. State lawmakers have introduced dozens of bills targeting vaccines, fluoridated water, and PFAS, a group of compounds linked to cancer and other health problems.
While some major food companies have pledged to eliminate certain color additives from their products, not everyone agrees on which foods should be targeted. Some advocates are focusing on sugar and sodium, while others are pushing for stricter regulations on processed foods.
Policymakers are also bracing themselves for potential flashpoints, including moves by the FDA and CDC that could make vaccine access more difficult. In response, some blue states have announced a new public health alliance to set their own standards apart from federal recommendations.
As the MAHA movement continues to gain steam, it's clear that dietary regulations will play a significant role in shaping state healthcare policies in 2026. With the trend showing no signs of slowing down, it remains to be seen how far-reaching these changes will ultimately prove to be.
Burkhammer's experience with hyperactivity in one of his foster children led him to try an alternative diet, which included removing foods with synthetic dyes. The results were remarkable, and he went on to sponsor a bill that would ban these dyes from food sold in the state. The law was passed in March, making West Virginia the first state to take such a measure.
This is not an isolated incident, as 37 states have introduced bills aimed at regulating synthetic dyes, with some of them gaining significant traction. California has been at the forefront of this movement, having implemented a law regulating food dyes since 2023.
The MAHA agenda has gained strong support from Republicans, but it's also found bipartisan backing in some places. The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, created as part of the GOP's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, offers incentives to states that implement MAHA policies.
As the movement gains momentum, health officials are pushing for broader policy changes, including rolling back routine vaccinations and expanding the use of ivermectin for treatments beyond their approved uses. State lawmakers have introduced dozens of bills targeting vaccines, fluoridated water, and PFAS, a group of compounds linked to cancer and other health problems.
While some major food companies have pledged to eliminate certain color additives from their products, not everyone agrees on which foods should be targeted. Some advocates are focusing on sugar and sodium, while others are pushing for stricter regulations on processed foods.
Policymakers are also bracing themselves for potential flashpoints, including moves by the FDA and CDC that could make vaccine access more difficult. In response, some blue states have announced a new public health alliance to set their own standards apart from federal recommendations.
As the MAHA movement continues to gain steam, it's clear that dietary regulations will play a significant role in shaping state healthcare policies in 2026. With the trend showing no signs of slowing down, it remains to be seen how far-reaching these changes will ultimately prove to be.
just wondering if people are getting too carried away with banning all sorts of food dyes? I mean, some studies show that they're not even linked to hyperactivity in kids... 
and what's next? Banning sugar or salt because some people claim it's bad for you? 
we need evidence-based policies here! 
It's interesting that California was already ahead of the game with their own regulations, but now other states are catching up. Maybe this is just the start of something bigger, like a nationwide movement towards healthier eating habits? 
i dont know what its gonna do for my diet but like isnt that cool that some dude in wv made a difference cuz of his foster kid's hyperactivity 
i mean idc bout adam burkhhammer having 10 kids his personal life is wild but honestly it's kinda cool that he spearheaded this bill cuz it's def a step in the right direction 4 kids w/ hyperactivity & all 4 can actually eat their fave foods without breaking out into hives 
i'm also lowkey rooting 4 california getting all up in those other states 2 regulate dyes & make healthier food options available to everyone 
, i mean, who doesn't want their kids to have less hyperactivity issues? and its great that Adam Burkhammer is taking a personal experience and turning it into policy change 
. but at the same time, i think we should be careful not to overregulate everything, like some of these bills targeting vaccines are just plain scary 
, I can attest that avoiding synthetic dyes has made a huge difference for me 
Of course, there's still more work to be done, but I think it's awesome that major food companies are stepping up and pledging to reduce certain additives from their products 
. Will they have the resources to keep up with new regulations? 
! 
! anyone who's ever dealt with hyperactivity or just has a gut feeling that something's off in our food is gonna love this. and can you believe adam burkhammer got his kids' health issues turned around by taking out the dyes? it's like, what have we been eating all these years? 
i hope they keep pushing for policy changes that actually make a difference in people's lives.
. What's next, are we gonna start questioning the safety of fluoride in our water? And what about the science behind ivermectin being used as a treatment for non-COVID related illnesses? It sounds like some lawmakers are more concerned with appeasing their constituents than doing what's best for public health 
.
.
. And now 37 states are following suit? That's lit 
! But, what's with all the different opinions on what should be targeted next? Sugar, sodium, or processed foods? Can't they just agree on something already? 