RFK wants to ban Riboflavin, and other "chemicals" he can't pronounce, from foods

[Perpetual Student]

The OP title is blatant disinformation. At no point has RFK Jr said that he wanted to ban Riboflavin, and the Instagram video in the OP doesn't suggest that he does. He's reading from the list of ingredients in foods, but at no point did he suggest he wanted to ban Riboflavin.

If there's one thing that has stood out to me since Trump's election, it's how the left has become a sucker for propaganda and disinformation in the same way they complained about the right. They are now purveyors of disinformation that aligns with their preconceived ideas. It's amazing what an agenda can do to someone's objectivity.

I have watched the videoclip a few times. It starts with RFK reading a list of some food additives compiled by these MAHA, including riboflavin. These additives are apparantly selected by the only criterion that they are hard to pronounce (*). By the end of the clip, these MAHA moms argue for banning some food additives. On what ground? It isn't said. But it has been posted on the official channel of the White House. That implies an endorsement, including the banning of the listed ingredients. Otherwise the presence of riboflavin in that list wouldn't make sense. It isn't even hard to pronounce.

And can we please expect that the WH has reviewed what they are posting?

 

[probinson]

I don't understand how you can be that obtuse.

I'm not.

Again, if you can present evidence that RFK Jr. wants to ban Riboflavin as the OP title claims, I will correct my posts. The rest of this discussion is just noise to distract from the fact that RFK Jr. has never stated that he wants to ban Riboflavin (as far as I can tell).

 

[probinson]

I have watched the videoclip a few times. It starts with RFK reading a list of some food additives compiled by these MAHA. By the end of the clip, these MAHA moms

?

This doesn't seem like a complete thought.

 

[SimplyMe]

You are correct.

I am convinced that no matter what RFK Jr does, there will be people who will resist it simply because RFK Jr is doing it. I mean, just look at the OP. It begins, "While there are definitely chemicals that should be removed from food...". You see, the OP apparently agrees that there are harmful chemicals that should be removed from food, but since RFK is involved, it's worthy of mocking.

Now I would agree that simply saying "I can't pronounce this" isn't the benchmark for anything, but I don't really think that was the point of the video. The point is that there are A LOT of additives in our food, and as the CNN article I posted stated, most of them were not green-lit for use by the FDA, but by the food and chemical industry.

Then what was the point of the video, that was posted on the White House account? As is mentioned, this is a list that was provided by the MAHA Moms of processed ingredients that should be removed from foods -- and a major criteria appears to simply be that they "sound bad" because they have "scientific names" (therefore, they must be created in a laboratory).

Though, again, as I pointed out, there is the supplement (a manufactured "food") sold by the Food Babe that contains Organic Monk Fruit Extract. I'm guessing she thinks it is fine because it doesn't have that "scientific name" and is "organic" and from an actual fruit, but the fact remains that it is not considered as a safe ingredient.

The issue with RFK is that he does not appear to believe in science/scientists. For example, despite the fact that the alleged link between Autism and vaccines has been clearly and completely debunked, RFK is wasting money commissioning a new study to investigate it -- and it will be interesting to see how the study is performed and by who (will it be a scientific study or a self-reporting study where they get moms stories about how their children were fine until they were vaccinated). Perhaps he will listen to scientists when it comes to these additives/ingredients in food but, given RFK's history, he's just as likely to take the MAHA Mom's word as authoritative and ban foods based on their "sounding scientific" and being difficult to pronounce; while at the same time allowing things like Organic Monk Fruit Extract since it is from organic natural ingredients despite the fact countries ban it as not being safe.

 

[Perpetual Student]

?

This doesn't seem like a complete thought.

correct. It was posted prematurely. I was editing it while you reacted.

 

[probinson]

Then what was the point of the video, that was posted on the White House account? As is mentioned, this is a list that was provided by the MAHA Moms of processed ingredients that should be removed from foods -- and a major criteria appears to simply be that they "sound bad" because they have "scientific names" (therefore, they must be created in a laboratory).

Clearly you have a beef with RFK Jr. and "the Food Babe", but I don't really care about that.

Can you show me where RFK Jr. has said that he wants to ban Riboflavin? If not, you are guilty of propagating disinformation.

The issue with RFK is that he does not appear to believe in science/scientists.

You don't "believe in" science. It's not a religion. Or at least it's not supposed to be.

 

[Perpetual Student]

Again, they were simply reading a list of ingredients. Their point appeared to be that a lot of ingredients are hard to pronounce. But I didn't see anything in the video that stated or suggested, "This is the list of ingredients we want to ban".

And then what? The pleading for a ban of ingredients was added maliciously later on, without informing RFK? Sent to the WH who posted it without knowing what it was?

 

[ozso]

From what I can gather, the bulk of their content resides primarily on TikTok and instagram. I've already linked you to the blog of one of the women behind the video, which has that list.

The issue in the list read out are ingredients in US processed food that's not included in the same processed food in Europe. Or is an issue in Europe. In other words, they want the US to adopt the same level of standards regarding processed foods that Europe has.

AI Overview says: Riboflavin (vitamin B2) itself is not banned in Europe for use in food or animal feed, but there have been concerns and restrictions regarding specific riboflavin additives produced by genetically modified bacteria.

So that's why riboflavin was mentioned.

Then you don't really have time to participate in discussions like this. Expecting to be spoon-fed every little bit of information isn't acting in good faith.

Don't be ridiculous. No one who has a life has time for all that in what's supposed to be a discussion with several people. This is a discussion, not a project. If your posts are not concise, people are going to skip your post. Put another way, your posts, or anyone else's posts, aren't important enough to require more than a moment or two to go through for anyone who has other things to do.

Who knows. They're quacks.

In other words there isn't any kind of plot and certain people are flipping out over nothing as usual. They're out to get us. The sky if falling.

 

[Perpetual Student]

You know what is easy to pronounce? Methanol.
Let us add that to drinks and beverages!

 

[probinson]

And then what? The pleading for a ban of ingredients was added maliciously later on, without informing RFK? Send to the WH wo posted it without knowing what it was?

Can you show me where anyone has advocated to ban Riboflavin?

 

[Landon Caeli]

I used to Snort riboflavin, when I worked at a feed mill, packing horse feed, and the dust was all in the air. They didn't offer masks.

...Now I'm a super-human mutant.

 

[SimplyMe]

Clearly you have a beef with RFK Jr. and "the Food Babe", but I don't really care about that.

I have issues with RFK because of his anti-science stances, particularly wasting money with a completely unnecessary study (at a time when Trump allegedly is trying to get rid of waste, fraud and abuse). The Food Babe I don't know a lot about, though it is ironic that her own supplement is not legal in the EU -- the standard she is claiming to want and how she wants to go after manufacturers that use those substances (seems a bit hypocritical).

Can you show me where RFK Jr. has said that he wants to ban Riboflavin? If not, you are guilty of propagating disinformation.

Why would he have left it included in a video he posted from the White House account, particularly a video that highlights the MAHA Moms that have it on their list of things to remove? I can only go by what he posts. And, of course, that was not the only ingredient on the Mom's list, that were read in the video, that are considered safe and allowed in the EU -- despite having an unpronounceable "science name."

You don't "believe in" science. It's not a religion. Or at least it's not supposed to be.

Agreed but the word seems to fit when talking about Kennedy. At the same time, I should have said he does not accept a lot of accepted science or is a denier of some well established science.

 

[probinson]

Why would he have left it included in a video he posted from the White House account, particularly a video that highlights the MAHA Moms that have it on their list of things to remove? I can only go by what he posts. And, of course, that was not the only ingredient on the Mom's list, that were read in the video, that are considered safe and allowed in the EU -- despite having an unpronounceable "science name."

I'm not looking for your tortured analysis or opinion. I'm looking for evidence for what your OP boldly proclaims; "RFK Jr wants to ban Riboflavin". Can you show me where he has said this?

 

[Landon Caeli]

I heard RFK wants to mandate all autistic kids to resign to prison work camps, along with all those using anti-depressant medications.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

I'm not looking for your tortured analysis or opinion. I'm looking for evidence for what your OP boldly proclaims; "RFK Jr wants to ban Riboflavin". Can you show me where he has said this?

That would seem to be a reasonable conclusion to draw from this instagram post.

 

[probinson]

That would seem to be a reasonable conclusion to draw from this instagram post.

So the only evidence there is that RFK Jr. wants to "ban Riboflavin" is an Instagram video in which he does not explicitly state that he wants to "ban Riboflavin". Got it.

 

[SimplyMe]

I'm not looking for your tortured analysis or opinion. I'm looking for evidence for what your OP boldly proclaims; "RFK Jr wants to ban Riboflavin". Can you show me where he has said this?

And I'm not interested in your weak defense. So lets do this, since this has popped up in numerous places, can you show me where RFK has stated a correction and said he does not intent to ban Riboflavin? Particularly since it was on the list of things the MAHA Moms brought that they want to be made illegal?

But I suppose the simple way to say it is that RFK wants to end the GRAS program. Riboflavin is approved for use due to the GRAS program, so RFK is wanting to ban Riboflavin. Once the rollback of GRAS occurs, companies would have to seek FDA approval to add Riboflavin to products, and it is unclear if it would be approved or even, due to the government cutbacks, how long approval may take.

 

[probinson]

And I'm not interested in your weak defense.

So lets do this, since this has popped up in numerous places, can you show me where RFK has stated a correction and said he does not intent to ban Riboflavin?

You haven't demonstrated that RFK Jr. wants to ban Riboflavin. I've searched high and low. I can find no such statement from him anywhere. Again, if you can show me where he's said this, I will correct my statements.

Particularly since it was on the list of things the MAHA Moms brought that they want to be made illegal?

I've even searched "The Food Babe's" website and I can't find anything on there that suggests she wants to make Riboflavin illegal.

But I suppose the simple way to say it is that RFK wants to end the GRAS program.

Finally, something truthful!

Riboflavin is approved for use due to the GRAS program, so RFK is wanting to ban Riboflavin.

That's quite a leap of logic.

Once the rollback of GRAS occurs, companies would have to seek FDA approval to add Riboflavin to products, and it is unclear if it would be approved or even, due to the government cutbacks, how long approval may take.

And that's probably a good thing, since the vast majority of food additives on the GRAS list were not green-lit by the FDA but by the food and chemical companies, per the CNN article I posted earlier this morning. Here it is again:

Nearly 99% of new chemicals used in food or food packaging since 2000 were green-lit for use not by the FDA but by the food and chemical industry, according to a 2022 analysis.​

​

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/11/health/gras-reform-kennedy-wellness/index.htm
​

As someone who "believes in science", don't you think it would be wise to understand the impacts to health of a food additive before just allowing it to be added to the list?

​

 

[probinson]

Nearly 99 percent of all food chemicals introduced since 2000 were greenlighted for use by the food and chemical industry, according to a new EWG analysis – not by the Food and Drug Administration, the agency responsible for ensuring food is safe.​

​

That’s because food and chemical companies exploited a loophole in the law allowing them to decide which chemicals are safe to consume, contrary to what Congress intended when it enacted food chemical laws in 1958. What’s more, taking advantage of this loophole is now the way most new chemicals, including EGCG, propyl paraben and theobromine, are allowed in foods. ​

​

Since 2000, food and chemical companies have petitioned the FDA only 10 times to approve a new substance. By contrast, for 756 of 766 new food chemicals added to the food supply since then, or 98.7 percent, these companies have exploited a loophole for substances that are “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS. The loophole lets them – not the FDA – decide a substance is safe.​

​

EWG analysis: Almost all new food chemicals greenlighted by industry, not the FDA

Nearly 99 percent of all food chemicals introduced since 2000 were greenlighted for use by the food and chemical industry, according to a new EWG analysis – not by the Food and Drug Administration, the agency responsible for ensuring food is safe.

www.ewg.org

​

 

[ozso]

And then what? The pleading for a ban of ingredients was added maliciously later on, without informing RFK? Sent to the WH who posted it without knowing what it was?

They just want higher standards for processed foods like Europe has. That's all. Is that really such a bad thing? Of course not. That's why certain sources have to lie about it being a bad thing. Because RFK is part of the Trump admin. And every aspect of the Trump admin has to be portrayed as negatively as possible by them, because certain people are addicted to those kinds of spins.