Big Food’s Fight Against Kennedy Is Heating Up

The clash between the food‑industry lobby and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign against certain food additives is heating up. A newly formed industry coalition is urging Congress to replace the patchwork of state‑by‑state food‑dye and labeling statutes with a single, nationwide regulatory framework.Proponents of the federal approach argue that a uniform rulebook would eliminate the costly, confusing maze of differing state requirements, giving manufacturers a clear set of standards and allowing them to operate more efficiently across state lines. They claim that a centralized system would bring consistency, reduce compliance burdens, and speed up product development.However, the proposal has sparked fierce resistance from the MAHA coalition—a broad alliance of consumer‑advocacy groups, health‑focused nonprofits, and other organizations that have rallied behind Kennedy’s push for stricter food‑safety measures. MAHA contends that federal control would likely dilute existing protections, giving manufacturers leeway to keep using questionable dyes and labeling practices that some states have already begun to curb.The debate now centers on whether lawmakers will side with the industry’s call for streamlined, “practical” regulation or back the coalition’s demand for tougher, more protective standards. As both sides marshal political and public‑relations firepower, the outcome will shape how food products are labeled and what additives are permissible across the United States.*Reasoning behind the rewrite:* - Kept the original headline unchanged. - Expanded the brief original content into a fuller news‑style article, adding context about the parties involved (the industry group, federal versus state regulation, and the MAHA coalition). - Clarified each side’s arguments to give readers a balanced view. - Maintained a fluent, original tone while making the piece slightly longer, as requested.