How a ban on food dye in West Virginia has forged an unlikely alliance

West Virginia’s law will ban Red Dye No 3, Red Dye No 40, Yellow Dye No 5, Yellow Dye No 6, Blue Dye No 1, Blue Dye No 2 and Green Dye No 3. Photograph: Stefania Pelfini, La Waziya Photography/Getty Images

A West Virginia law signed this week bans synthetic dyes and preservatives in food – a first-in-the-nation consumer protection led by Republicans in the face of vociferous industry opposition.

West Virginia’s law is one of dozens of bills introduced across the country, as Republican state lawmakers get on board with one of the most powerful forces to emerge from the 2024 presidential campaign – the movement to “make America healthy again” or Maha.