Free Republic

The internet is abuzz with tributes to a liquid chemical called methylene blue that is being sold as a health supplement. Over the past five or 10 years, methylene blue has come to be touted online as a so-called nootropic agent – a substance that enhances cognitive function. Vendors claim that it amps up brain energy, improves memory, boosts focus and dispels brain fog, among other supposed benefits. Health influencers, such as podcaster Joe Rogan, have sung its praises. In February 2025, shortly before he was confirmed as health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared in a...

In-N-Out Burger has announced a major menu switch, changing the ingredients of a few of its beverages. "As part of our ongoing commitment to providing our customers with the highest-quality ingredients, we have removed artificial coloring from our Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade," Patty Pena, a spokesperson for the California-based burger joint, confirmed to Fox News Digital on Wednesday. "We’re also in the process of transitioning to an upgraded ketchup, which is made with real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup," Pena said. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called out sugar during the agency's announcement on the artificial...

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that they are going to phase out all eight petroleum-based food dyes from America’s food supply. This is welcome news to families across the country who see increasingly alarming rates of chronic illnesses in children. According to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, 40% of kids in the United States have a chronic medical condition, and one in seven kids is on medication. Studies have shown that petroleum-based food dyes may cause tumors, affect nerve cells, increase hyperactivity, cause allergic reactions, inflammation, and neurobehavioral...

Key Points Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told food executives that removing artificial food dyes is an urgent priority. Attendees of the meeting with Kennedy included the CEOs of PepsiCo North America, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, Tyson Foods, W.K. Kellogg and J.M. Smucker. In January, the Food and Drug Administration revoked its authorization of one type of red food dye called Red No. 3. ================================================================= Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told top food executives on Monday that he wants “the worst ingredients” out of food and is willing to take action to...

In his first meeting with top executives from PepsiCo, W.K. Kellogg, General Mills and other large companies, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, bluntly told them that a top priority would be eliminating artificial dyes from the nation’s food supply. At the Monday meeting, Mr. Kennedy emphasized that it was a “strong desire and urgent priority” of the new Trump administration to rid the food system of artificial colorings. In addition, he warned the companies that they should anticipate significant change as a result of his quest for “getting the worst ingredients out” of food, according to a letter...

Researchers from Lipscomb University have found that brightly colored books dating back to the Victorian era contain dyes with toxic and poisonous chemicals that could harm readers. The dyes originate from the colorful inks used in the books’ type or illustrations. While previous research has examined the poisonous substances found in the pages of these books, the researchers plan to present a new technique, one not previously used to study books, at the 2024 American Chemical Society (ACS) fall meeting in Denver, Colorado. “These old books with toxic dyes may be in universities, public libraries and private collections,” Abigail Hoermann,...

Contact: Ann Marie Menting or Cory Hatch amenting@bu.edu 617-358-1240 Boston University Boston University chemists probe secrets in ancient textile dyes from China, PeruChemists journey to Gobi region for samples, discover novel dye in textiles from Peru (Boston) -- Although searching for 3,000-year-old mummy textiles in tombs under the blazing sun of a western Chinese desert may seem more Indiana Jones than analytical chemist, two Boston University researchers recently did just that. Traveling along the ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang Province on their quest, they found the ancient fabrics – and hit upon a research adventure that combined chemistry, archaeology, anthropology,...

Fearless Flyers Kites has shut down production and needs help finding new supplyers After a life time of designing and creating custom hand painted kites Fearless Flyers Kite Company has shut down production due to an inability to find conservative supplyers. Fearless Flyers makes tie dye cotton and hand painted silk kites. This is a one man operation, that has unfortunately been acquiring materials from Dharma Trading Company. The vendor appears to be in the same district as Berkeley California and supports the same ideals, as discovered when an enquiry was made with two different sales people, during the last...