How Trump’s Presidency Could Affect Filipino Food Imports

From adobo to ube desserts, Filipino foods are fast becoming staples in the U.S. food market—but political shifts in Washington could change that.

On January 20, 2024. Donald Trump returned to the White House. This time, his presidency promises tightening trade policies and changing regulations in the food sector. 

One key player in this shift is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (or often referred to as RFK Jr.), Trump’s incoming Secretary ​​Health and Human Services. RFK is known for his alternative stance on healthcare. As HHS Secretary, his work is poised to reshape how imported foods are monitored and sold. 

Among the long list of foods that may soon be affected, Filipino imports into the United States may be one of them. This new regulatory shift can mean higher costs and fewer choices among a group of products that have long served as lifelines to the Filipino American diaspora and have (recently) started to become staples in American retailers. 

Read on for how Filipino food imports could be affected by a Trump presidency.

What are RFK Jr.’s policies on food and nutrition?

RFK Jr.—nephew of former U.S. president John F. Kennedy—is known for his alternative views on healthcare and politics. Several experts have described his takes on issues ranging from ozempic, vaccines, and pharmaceutical drugs as ranging from reasoned to radical. But what are his policies on food? 

RFK Jr. has vowed to ban highly processed foods from school cafeterias nationwide. 

He has said that a “chronic illness epidemic” caused by toxic food and beverages runs rampant in the United States. “We’ve created a diabetes problem in our kids by giving them food that’s poison,” RFK once said in The Times.

RFK Jr. wants to ban seed oils.

RFK has warned the American public against consuming seed oils, saying in a Fox News segment that “[They] are one of the most unhealthy ingredients that we have in foods. The reason they’re in foods is because they’re heavily subsidized. They’re very cheap, but they’re as-coated with all kinds of diseases. It’s one of the worst things you can eat.”

RFK Jr. wants to ban high-fructose corn syrup.

Another ingredient RFK wants Americans to stop consuming is high-fructrose corn syrup, which is used in sweetening various processed foods. In a post on X, the incoming HHS Secretary said that the sweetener is “a key ingredient in highly processed foods [and a] contributor to childhood obesity.”

RFK Jr. wants to ban food dyes.

RFK Jr. has been outspoken about eliminating artificial colors from the U.S. food supply. Long before joining the Trump administration, Kennedy has been outspoken on dyes like Red Dye #40’s potential to cause cancer. In October, he emphasized his stance on the issue, stating, “I’m just gonna tell the cereal companies: Take all the dyes out of their food.”

How will Filipino food be impacted by RFK?

Here’s what might happen to Filipino imports with RFK Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary. If RFK Jr. follows through with many of his previous statements, some imported Filipino food products risk being banned entry into the United States.

Some Filipino food products use red dyes. Banana ketchup, for instance, the iconic Filipino condiment that makes ketchup out of bananas, uses Red Dye #40 in several popular brands to color it as if it was made using tomatoes. Tender juicy hotdog, another popular Filipino snack and ingredient in Filipino spaghetti, includes Red #40 in its ingredients. 

If food dye bans are implemented, these products could likely be absent from American stores until manufacturers adapt. 

In October last year, banana ketchup was flagged by the FDA for containing chemicals like potassium iodate and BHA. Filipino manufacturers are scrambling to reformulate recipes, but another regulatory shift against food dyes might strain businesses already navigating costly compliance. 

Read more: Why Is Banana Ketchup Banned in the US? Explaining the New FDA Rules on Filipino Imports.

Some good news?

The Philippines is rich in many natural resources. What does this mean?

• Popular snacks like Chippy, Piattos, Nova, SkyFlakes, Fita Crackers list palm or coconut oil in their ingredients. Lucky Me! — a popular Filipino instant noodles brand — also includes palm oils in its seasoning packet.
• Because the Philippines produces many natural sweeteners domestically, most items in the country with high-fructose corn syrup are actually imported. 

While some Filipino foods could face challenges under new regulations, many are already made with natural ingredients that fit RFK Jr.’s healthier food standards.

What happens to Filipino food now? 

If RFK chooses to crack down on food dyes, seed oils, and high-fructose corn syrup through stricter regulations, some imported Filipino products might be barred entry from the United States.

However, the truth is that we cannot know for sure what will happen to Filipino food. Donald Trump was only inaugurated one week ago, and (as of writing) RFK Jr. hasn’t even begun his work as HHS Secretary. While RFK’s given a range of statements on what policies he hopes to enact, he has not yet been explicit on what exact ingredients, chemicals, and foods he will be taking measures against. 

Other political analysts are skeptical of RFK’s ability to make change. Similarly, it may be that measures against processed food, seed oils, food dyes, and corn syrup are done through taxation or regulation, rather than outright bans.  

But regardless of what is actually implemented, it’s worth mentioning that new measures will not be a targeted attack on Filipino food. Other products—imports and American-produced goods alike—are going to be affected too.  

With Trump’s America-first trade agenda, we can also affect higher tariffs on imports. However, there has not yet been any mention of taxing imports from the Philippines. 

Where can I buy Filipino ingredients that won’t be affected by the new administration?

Craving the flavors of the Philippines without that are here to stay, regulations or not? Fila Manila’s products are made in the U.S. with a promise: No seed oils. No artificial dyes. No compromises. 

1. Swap Red #40 for nature’s palette: Our banana ketchup gets its vibrant hue from carrot and blackcurrant extracts, making every meal with the condiment as wholesome and healthy as it is colorful.
2. Sweetened with organic tapioca syrup, our ube jam keeps the rich, earthy sweetness of real purple yam—the authentic Filipino flavor you crave, crafted with care, not chemicals.
3. Ditch the seed oils: We make our adobo sauce with avocado oil, blending tangy cane vinegar and date nectar for a marinade that’s truly lola-approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Donald Trump and RFK Jr. ban Filipino food?

No, Donald Trump and RFK Jr. have not mentioned any intention to ban Filipino food from entering the United States. 

What are some Filipino snacks that might be affected by new U.S. regulations?

Filipino snacks like Clover, which often use seed oils like soybean oil, could face stricter scrutiny under RFK Jr.’s proposed policies. Banana ketchup also has Red Dye 40, an ingredient RFK Jr. has been outspokenly against. 

This list, however, is not exhaustive, and it’s not set in stone. Plans may still change, as will the kind of imported food products affected. Based on what we know about RFK’s plans, these are just Fila Manila’s predictions. 

Will banana ketchup still be available in the U.S.?

Banana ketchup made with Red Dye #40 or other flagged additives may be impacted by new regulations. Some brands, like Fila Manila, offer natural alternatives that comply with stricter standards. 

For more information read up on the chemicals keeping some Filipino food products out of the United States.

Are these regulations only targeting Filipino food?

No, RFK Jr.’s proposed changes are part of a broader overhaul of the U.S. food system. They will impact many processed and imported foods, not just Filipino products.

Will there be a complete ban on Filipino food imports?

It’s unlikely that all Filipino food imports will be banned. However, products containing banned ingredients like seed oils or certain food dyes may require reformulation to comply with new regulations.