Barack Obama may be out of office, but he still is affecting things. And now it’s getting really ridiculous.
And now an Obama-era judge struck down the Trump admin’s move to protect children.
RFK Jr.’s Bold Push for Healthier Food Hits Judicial Roadblock
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s visionary Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative suffered a temporary setback when an Obama-appointed judge blocked West Virginia’s pioneering ban on harmful artificial food dyes—a law RFK Jr. personally championed as a model for protecting American children from toxic additives linked to serious health issues.
In a 30-page preliminary injunction issued on December 24, 2025, U.S. District Judge Irene Berger halted enforcement of House Bill 2354, siding with dye manufacturers who claimed the measure lacked scientific backing and interfered with commerce.
The law targeted compounds like butylated hydroxyanisole, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3, classifying their use as a misdemeanor.
RFK Jr.’s Leadership in Spotlighting Dangers
During his first official trip as HHS Secretary in March 2025, RFK Jr. joined West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey in Martinsburg to celebrate the bill’s signing, highlighting its alignment with MAHA goals.
“And [linked] particularly to the dyes. It’s very clear the [dyes that Governor Morrisey is banning] … are linked in very strong studies to ADHD and to cancers,” Kennedy stated.
He connected these additives to broader epidemics affecting America’s youth, including mental health crises, ADD/ADHD, and even social issues like loneliness and suicide—demonstrating his fearless commitment to tackling root causes over corporate profits.
Morrisey echoed the enthusiasm, declaring the MAHA movement “begins right here in West Virginia.”
Strong Pushback Against Big Food Interests
Gov. Morrisey vowed to fight on, posting on X: “I respectfully disagree with [the] ruling. [W]e believe this decision is premature and incorrectly decided. [West Virginia] will continue to [defend its authority] to protect the health and well-being of our citizens, especially children. We are reviewing our legal options and will continue to press forward with our efforts to get harmful crap out of our food supply.”
State lawmakers rallied behind RFK Jr.’s cause, with Del. David Elliott Pritt condemning dye companies: “Imagine being so addicted to profit that you would go to court to fight for your company’s ability to willingly and knowingly continue to poison the kids of this state and nation because you refuse to alter your formulas,” calling it “pretty evil.”
House Health and Human Resources Committee Chairman Evan Worrell stressed the law’s focus on shielding children from “unnecessary chemical additives” already banned elsewhere.
Private sector momentum builds in RFK Jr.’s favor, with Walmart announcing plans to phase out synthetic dyes from generic brands by January 2026, proving his warnings are driving real change despite judicial hurdles.
As states like California, Virginia, Utah, and Arizona pursue similar protections, RFK Jr.’s determined leadership continues to expose and combat hidden toxins in the food supply, prioritizing American families’ long-term health over entrenched interests.
