Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. keeps racking up the wins in his campaign to help President Donald Trump make America a healthier nation, particularly on the dietary front.His latest victory — and American consumers' by extension — was secured at General Mills, the American ultra-processed food giant with cereal brands that include Cheerios, Chex, Cocoa Puffs, Lucky Charms, and Wheaties.General Mills announced plans on Tuesday to remove artificial colors from all of its U.S. cereals and all K-12 school foods by next summer. The company indicated that it also intends to remove all fake coloring from its full lineup of American-facing products by the end of 2027.How it startedIn April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration outlined a plan to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from America's food supply.The FDA initiated the process to revoke authorization for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B in the short term and to eliminate another six synthetic dyes — FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2 — by the end of next year.'That era is coming to an end.'The agency also requested that companies move up their timelines for the removal of FD&C Red No. 3.RELATED: Kennedy has Big Pharma ads in his sights — and he's not the only one mulling a crackdown Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesVani Hari, a critic of the food industry who founded Food Babe, told Blaze News in November that the brighter artificial colors, which are helpful with sales and attractive to children, are harmful to their health."The science shows that these dyes cause hyperactivity in children, can disrupt the immune system, and are contaminated with carcinogens," said Hari. "There are safer colors available made from fruits and vegetables, such as beets and carrots. Food companies already don't use artificial dyes en masse in Europe because they don't want to slap warning labels on their products that say they 'may cause adverse effects on attention in children.'"Extra to seeking the removal of the harmful chemicals, the FDA indicated in April that it would partner with the National Institutes of Health to conduct research on how food additives impact kids' health and development."For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent," said Kennedy. "These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development. That era is coming to an end. We're restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public's trust."FDA Commissioner Marty Makary noted that "given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children."How it's goingA number of companies have proven amenable to the changes advocated by the Trump administration.RELATED: How Big Pharma left its mark on woke CDC vax advisory panel — and what RFK Jr. did about it Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesThirteen days after HHS' announcement, Tyson Foods indicated it was on track to remove all petroleum-based dyes from its production process by the end of May. Top executives from PepsiCo, Danone North America, and TreeHouse Foods similarly signaled commitments to scrap artificial colors.'When the government sets clear, science-based standards, the food industry listens and acts.'The American fast-food chain In-N-Out Burger revealed last month that it was removing artificial coloring from two of its drinks and swapping out its high-fructose corn syrup-based ketchup for an alternative that uses real sugar.A spokesman for the company told CNN that the changes were part of the chain's "ongoing commitment to providing our customers with the highest-quality ingredients."Kennedy encouraged more companies to similarly volunteer "to prioritize Americans' health and join the effort to Make America Healthy Again."Blaze News previously reported that Kraft Heinz got on board this week, stating that it will remove artificial food, drug, and cosmetic colors from products in the United States before the end of 2027."This voluntary step — phasing out harmful dyes in brands like Kool-Aid, Jell‑O, and Crystal Light — proves that when the government sets clear, science-based standards, the food industry listens and acts," tweeted Kennedy.While stressing that 85% of its full U.S. retail portfolio is "currently made without certified colors," General Mills said Tuesday it would eliminate the remainder of artificial coloring in short order."Across the long arc of our history, General Mills has moved quickly to meet evolving consumer needs, and reformulating our product portfolio to remove certified colors is yet another example," said General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening.RELATED: Meat the enemy: How protein became the left's newest microaggression Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images"Knowing the trust families place in us, we are leading the way on removing certified colors in cereals and K-12 foods by next summer. We're committed to continuing to make food that tastes great and is accessible to all," added the executive.The removal of synthetic dyes from the food supply is a giant step, though there remains at least one chemical in cereals with effects that may warrant further action.No artificial colors — but infertility?A peer-reviewed study published last year in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology suggested that current concentrations of chlormequat chloride in oat-based foods "warrant more expansive toxicity resting, food monitoring, and epidemiological studies."Researchers on the study from the Environmental Working Group, a chemical watchdog accused in recent years of exaggeration, indicated that food samples purchased in 2022 and 2023 "show detectable levels of chlormequat in all but two of 25 conventional oat-based products."Quaker Oats and Cheerios were allegedly among the affected cereals.'Do we really need more chemicals in our food?'Chlormequat, first registered in the U.S. in 1962 as a plant growth regulator and recognized decades later by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as "toxic to wildlife," has been linked in animal studies to disrupted fetal growth, damage to the reproductive system, delayed puberty, and reduced fertility.While the EPA suggested in 2023 that there were no dietary or residential risks of concern associated with human exposure to chlormequat, the 2024 study suggested that "more recent reproductive toxicity studies on chlormequat show delayed onset of puberty, reduced sperm motility, decreased weights of male reproductive organs, and decreased testosterone levels in rats exposed during sensitive windows of development, including during pregnancy and early life."RELATED: HHS scraps COVID vaccine schedule for children and pregnant women: 'It's common sense, and it's good science' Rebecca Noble/Getty ImagesSecretary Kennedy has criticized the use of chlormequat chloride, which he deemed "one of those 'forever chemicals,'" on grains.He noted in July 2023, "This chemical was prohibited by the very same EPA in 1962 for use on anything but ornamental plants in greenhouses. That was before the agency was captured by industry."Kennedy added, "Chlormaquat is linked to disruption of fetal growth, metabolic alterations, lower sperm motility, deceased testosterone, delayed development in puberty, and other effects. At a time when chronic disease is at an all-time high, do we really need more chemicals in our food?"Blaze News reached out to HHS about the removal of artificial dyes as well as about chlormequat in the food supply but did not immediately receive a response.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A raid on a meatpacking plant in Nebraska has caused a surge in job applications following the apprehension of 76 employees who were detained and removed from the premises by federal authorities.After just a few days, a dozen illegal workers had already been removed from the state or deported, while more than 60 were taken to a detention center, NBC News reported.What happened after the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid, though, defied a sentiment that has permeated across the country: that no American wants the jobs that illegal workers perform.'Large-scale employment of aliens without legal work authorization.'As Glenn Valley Foods mourned the loss of what the company called "family" members (referring to illegal employees), prospective employees banged on the doors looking to fill the roles that the company itself said were very hard to hire for."It takes skilled people that take pride in what they do," company president Chad Hartmann told NBC News.Still, the company's entire waiting room was packed with people filling out job applications just two days after the ICE raid. Dozens of possible new employees, many of them Spanish-speaking, were coming in and out of the plant, according to the report. However, there is still a specter hanging around the Omaha plant about the return of ICE agents.RELATED: 'They were part of our family': Illegal worker accused of pulling box cutters on ICE agents during raid on meatpacking plant Kevin Richardson/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Following the raid, which is considered to be largest worksite operation in Nebraska this year, even more Glenn Valley Foods employees declined to show up at work, due to feeling "afraid or traumatized." Their absence caused a 20% drop in work production that day, the president explained.Other nearby business operators complained, even in Spanish, to NBC News that many of those who were detained by ICE were their customers. A group of hairstylists said their weekend business suffered because "immigrant customers" were not coming in out of fear of more ICE raids.The sheer amount of illegal immigration and illegal employment in Nebraska seems to have spiraled out of control. ICE is now conducting thorough investigations in the state and is cracking down on what the agency called the "large-scale employment of aliens without legal work authorization."RELATED: Border Patrol arrest at Home Depot punches hole in Democrats' narrative Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images Ongoing raids have seemingly not had a large effect on the labor market, however.In April, job openings rose, with the Labor Department reporting 7.4 million job vacancies, up from 7.2 million in March, according to the Associated Press.By early June, hiring remained steady, the New York Times noted, as 139,000 people were hired and the unemployed rate remained unchanged.Inflation, trade wars, and tariffs have all been expected to be black eyes for the Trump administration in terms of the job market, but as numbers have remained steady, perhaps Americans do want, and always have wanted, all sorts of jobs — including at meatpacking plants.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The No Kings protests that sprang up across the nation in June have sparked comparisons with the Tea Party protests that started around Tax Day of 2009. However, a look back in time reveals a very different treatment by the mainstream media that could not be more at odds with the favorable treatment given to the No Kings protests today.In 2009, several networks accused Fox News of unfair coverage of the Tea Party movement. ThinkProgress said Fox was "actively promoting the protests," and Politico even said the network was "blurring the line between journalism and advocacy,” using the term “pseudo-journalism” to describe Fox News’ coverage of the Tea Party protests. 'The problem is, you can’t buy grassroots energy like we had in 2009, particularly when the "kings" behind the veil are paying for it.'A Fox News article said, "The grassroots phenomenon, while largely ignored in the mainstream press, has caught fire on the Internet, where platforms like Facebook and Twitter have served as launching pads for demonstrations." The article went on to describe the Tea Party as a "nonpartisan" movement, though it "largely involved conservatives."Double standardMedia Matters for America published a lengthy exposé titled "REPORT: 'Fair and balanced' Fox News aggressively promotes 'tea party' protests" criticizing Fox News' coverage of the protests: "While tea-party organizers have stated that the protests are nonpartisan, Fox News and organizers have also characterized the protests primarily as a response to the [Obama] administration's fiscal policies."RELATED: Over 98% of Americans ignore No Kings' tired tantrum Michael Beck Photography. Used with permission.The article concluded with a breakdown of each of the Fox hosts' supposedly biased coverage of the protests, but MMFA's main issue was with Fox's promotion of the events.Media Matters wrote: "Fox News has in dozens of instances provided attendance and organizing information for future protests, such as protest dates, locations and website URLs. Fox News websites have also posted information and publicity material for protests. Fox News hosts have repeatedly encouraged viewers to join them at several April 15 protests that they are attending and covering."By contrast, CBS News published an article on June 13, 2025, titled "'No Kings' protests planned across Massachusetts on June 14. Find one near you," seemingly presuming public interest in the event and encouraging participation. Left-leaning outlets were as quick to dismiss the grassroots nature of the movement and downplay the size of the protests as right-leaning outlets were to affirm them.The outlet subsequently updated the title of the article early the next morning. The current version replaced "Find one near you" with "Here's what to know."Grassroots or astroturf? During the Tea Party rallies of 2009, many outlets called into question the "grassroots" nature of the protests, as Fox News reported them. The Los Angeles Times published an article called “Republicans stage 'tea party' protests against Obama.” The article opens: “Republicans sought to ignite a popular revolt against President Obama on Wednesday by staging 'tea party' protests across the nation to demand lower taxes and less government spending — but the tactic carried risk for the party.” The reported number of people who attended Tea Party rallies seemed to differ across ideological lines as well. A New York Times article reported 200 people in Philadelphia; "several hundred" in Lafayette Park across from the White House; 500 protesters in Pensacola, Florida; around 1,000 people in Austin, Texas; and around 2,000 in Houston, Texas.RELATED: From 'F**k Trump' to handshakes: 'No Kings' rally in Texas stays civil Plexi Images/GHI/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesOn the other hand, the Washington Times reported that the rally in Richmond, Virginia, "drew over 5,000 people on a chilly, rainy day and they were pumped," according to American Majority founder and CEO Ned Ryun. The story went on to report that there were "hundreds of thousands of protesters" at "more than 300 rallies across the country."ThinkProgress named FreedomWorks and Americans for Prosperity as the "heavily staffed" and "well funded" power players behind the organization of these protests. The article was clearly framed to refute Fox News' coverage of the story, which drew criticism from many other outlets as well.On the other hand, DataRepublican, a user on X, compiled a database of over 140 organizations that purportedly participated in funding the No Kings protests. This list is not exhaustive, as more organizations will likely be added as more information becomes available. Some have noted the stark difference between a "grassroots" protest on the left versus the right. “Oh, the irony. Back when I was helping organize the Taxpayer March on Washington on September 12, 2009, the corporate media leftist apparatchiks like Media Matters were eager to characterize the massive Tea Party turnout that year as paid-for astroturfing. Because that’s how they had always done it,” said BlazeTV host Matt Kibbe, one of the organizers of the grassroots Tea Party movement in 2009. “They still are with their web of government-financed NGOs. The problem is, you can’t buy grassroots energy like we had in 2009, particularly when the 'kings' behind the veil are paying for it.”A Democrat Tea PartyClearly, there was a great deal of partisan coverage of the Tea Party movement in 2009. Left-leaning outlets were as quick to dismiss the grassroots nature of the movement and downplay the size of the protests as right-leaning outlets were to affirm them. However, some left-leaning outlets today have seemingly changed their outlook toward the 2009 protests. For example, Vox recently wrote an article which played up how effective the protests in 2009 were, saying, “The Tea Party reorganized the Republican Party on its own terms.”Even more surprising is the affirmation that the Tea Party was a grassroots movement at the start: “Notably, the movement was defined by how decentralized it was at its start — though some national organizations later formed to try to organize and wield populist furor, it was mostly a grassroots movement.”While there are some very clear differences between the 2025 No Kings protests and the 2009 Tea Party protests in terms of media coverage and organizational support, Vox may be right that the Democratic Party is facing an internal reorganization. Or perhaps the very notion of a grassroots movement on the left has become obsolete.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. — The sound of a car horn honking in a strip mall parking lot echoed repeatedly as a driver followed close behind an unmarked U.S. Border Patrol SUV. The agent quickly drove out of the parking lot, with the wannabe lookout following close behind.The civilian driver was so focused on the Border Patrol SUV he discovered that he drove right by two other unmarked Border Patrol vehicles in the lot. Blaze Media was embedded with Border Patrol on Tuesday to see firsthand how the large force of agents who have been deployed to the area are helping arrest illegal aliens.'Is that really kind of person you want around your family?'While our vehicle managed to escape detection the first time, a man in a mask started filming our SUV a few minutes later. Assistant Chief Border Patrol Agent for the El Centro Sector David Kim rolled down the window to see what the man wanted."We don't welcome you here. We feel you put fear into our community. ... This is not good. You're scaring working people. You're not looking for criminals. You're not; you know that. This is wrong," the masked man told Kim. "Why? Tell me why. Why do you do this?"RELATED: Los Angeles is what ‘America Last’ looks like Julio Rosas/Blaze MediaWhen Kim explained the law Border Patrol was enforcing was 8 U.S.C. § 1325, the man replied, "That's an immoral law."A few hours after the encounter with the illegal alien advocate, Border Patrol agents arrested Juan Diego Euan at a Home Depot in Cerritos for being in the United States illegally. After the arrest, it was discovered that he had a serious criminal conviction.Originally from Mexico, Euan was convicted in 2015 for having sex with a minor under 16 years old and was in prison for two years. He also had six previous arrests for illegal entry.El Centro Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino said Euan's arrest highlights how "child sexual predators have day jobs. Contrary to what some mayors say, big box hardware stores *wink wink* are places where criminal aliens congregate."RELATED: Trump orders ICE to ramp up deportations in Dem-controlled cities following MAGA backlash over selective pause on raids — (@) The "mayors" Bovino was referring to include Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D), who has repeatedly criticized federal immigration officials for targeting hardware stores to arrest illegal aliens."Let me be clear — chasing people through a Home Depot parking lot does not make Los Angeles safer," Bass said on X.Bass has said the crackdown on illegal workers will hurt the local economy because there are entire sectors in Los Angeles "that depend on immigrant labor. This administration is waging a war against our own economy.""There's this misconception that people we're finding at say Home Depot or at Lowe' s or car washes ... that they're just hardworking people out there; they've never done anything wrong in their life. We made [that] arrest at Home Depot," Kim said, referring to Euan."Someone is going to find a day laborer, bring them to their house, be around their family ... and no is going to know that that person had sexually assaulted a child at some point in their life. And is that really kind of person you want around your family?" Kim asked.While the Border Patrol units Blaze Media was with were able to apprehend illegal aliens without bystanders getting in the way, the same could not be said for the agents operating in Pico Rivera. Locals in a Walmart parking lot accosted the Border Patrol agents, who were driving marked vehicles. A fight broke out, and at least one person was arrested by the agents.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!