Atomic radii & synthetic food dyes | The chemical breakdown podcast

About this episode

The episode discusses atomic radii and the US's plan to eliminate synthetic food dyes with insights from experts.

This week, we discuss team discuss the boundaries of the atom and breakdown the US's plan to eliminate synthetic food dyes with Jennifer Newton and Phillip Broadwith. The atomic radius of an atom is a concept we are taught from early in our chemistry careers, but for such an important value its definition remains ambiguous. Why is there no single answer to the size of an atom? And, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced last year that the US will phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes in foods. But what are these chemicals, and what concerns exist around their consumption?

People in this episode

Guests: Jennifer Newton, Phillip Broadwith

Topics covered

• atomic radii
• synthetic food dyes
• US health policy
• chemistry education
• food safety

Keywords

• atomic radius
• synthetic dyes
• food safety
• chemistry
• US health policy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: US

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