Kellogg and U.S. Head Start Program Face Major Policy Shifts Under RFK Jr

Kellogg announced it will eliminate all artificial colors and the preservative BHT from its cereals by the end of this year, a year ahead of its 2027 target. The company said it has identified fruit‑ and vegetable‑based juices to replace synthetic dyes and has invested in new equipment to enable the transition, citing growing consumer demand for simple, recognizable ingredients.

The changes are part of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda promoted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Under the same agenda, Kennedy unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the federal Head Start program. The proposal would discard dozens of existing regulations, shift oversight to state and local authorities, and add new dietary and fitness requirements. Officials say the reforms could free more than $2 billion, allowing enrollment of up to 268,000 additional children, bringing total service to roughly 700,000 low‑income youngsters. Critics warn the changes could undermine the program’s long‑standing standards and effectiveness.