Sen. Thompson Hosts Joint Interim Study on Hidden Costs of Food Additives

For Immediate Release: September 3, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, hosted a joint interim study at the State Capitol examining the hidden costs of artificial food dyes and additives on Oklahoma’s health, workforce, and economy.

The study brought together the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), the State Department of Health, medical professionals, and researchers to review data showing a strong connection between diet-related diseases and health care costs in Oklahoma.

“Families deserve transparency about what’s in their food and how it impacts long-term health,” Thompson said. “Our state is facing rising rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease – and those conditions drive billions of dollars in health care costs. This study was about identifying whether food additives are worsening those outcomes and what we can do to address it.”

Key Findings

• Cost Burden: Chronic conditions like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity account for disproportionate health care spending. For example, only 5.5% of Medicaid members had heart disease, but those claims represented 21% of total reimbursements. Hypertension made up 9.6% of members but 28.4% of total reimbursements.
• Rising Costs: Average annual costs per member with obesity rose from $12,500 to nearly $18,000 in the past decade. Similar growth trends exist for hypertension and diabetes.
• Children at Risk: OSDH noted Oklahoma ranks 9th in childhood obesity nationwide. Research reviewed by experts showed correlations between artificial dyes and worsened hyperactivity and attention issues in children.
• Emerging Research: Studies show certain dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6) may trigger allergies, disrupt gut health, and in some cases have been linked to DNA damage in animal studies.
• Policy Gaps: FDA’s dye safety thresholds are based on decades-old studies and do not evaluate neurobehavioral effects, prompting calls for states to review and set stronger standards.

Building on a Record of Leadership
Thompson said the study will inform potential legislation in the 2026 session, building on her multi-year effort to improve food safety and health outcomes:

• Senate Bill 4: Strengthening food safety standards in Oklahoma schools.
• Senate Bill 985: Bringing fresh, local foods into K–12 lunchrooms.
• Red Dye 3 Ban: Publicly applauded nationwide ban on Red Dye 3 in food products.
• 2024 Interim Study: Focused on limiting artificial food dyes in children’s diets.

“Our health outcomes are directly tied to our economic future,” Thompson said. “If we want a strong workforce, we must take seriously the role nutrition plays in preventing chronic disease and improving children’s development. And I’m committed to advancing policies that put healthier food on the table for every Oklahoma family.”

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