STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — City Council candidate Frank Morano announced Tuesday that, if elected, he will introduce legislation to ban harmful artificial food dyes in New York City schools and city-run facilities, following the example set by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Citing growing concerns about the potential health risks posed by synthetic dyes — including behavioral issues in children and possible links to long-term illnesses — Morano said the move is long overdue and consistent with the city’s obligation to protect public health.
“Too many of the foods our children consume every day are loaded with petroleum-based dyes that have been banned or restricted in other countries,” said Morano. “It’s time we put our kids before corporate convenience and follow the science, just as RFK Jr. is doing on the national level.”
Artificial dyes such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 have been widely scrutinized in recent years, with several studies pointing to their potential role in exacerbating conditions like ADHD in children. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to allow their use, countries across Europe have implemented bans or stricter labeling requirements.
Morano, a Staten Island native and longtime radio host, says he will push for a targeted ban that begins with New York City schools, youth programs, and city-run food outlets — areas where children are most vulnerable.
“This isn’t about politics or partisanship,” Morano said. “This is about common sense. If we know certain additives are harming kids — and we do — then we have a moral responsibility to act.”
The proposal mirrors a growing movement across the country to reform what’s allowed in the American food supply. California recently became the first state to ban certain additives, including brominated vegetable oil and potassium bromate. Now, Kennedy’s administration is making food safety a centerpiece of its public health platform.
Kennedy has been vocal about his opposition to artificial dyes, calling for them to be removed from foods and beverages. “The first thing I’d do isn’t going to cost you anything because I’m just gonna tell the cereal companies: Take all the dyes out of their food,” he stated, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue.
Morano is currently running in the City Council District 51 election, including Staten Island’s South Shore.
