Blue Dye Treats Spinal Injuries

This is why pure research needs to be funded. Using a food additive to treat medical conditions isn't something that is likely to turn up in a for-profit laboratory.

The Blue Dye in M&Ms Cures Spinal Injuries | Popular Science:
"The candy gets its color from a compound called Brilliant Blue G (BBG), a food dye that's used in Gatorade and other products -- and turns out to also be medically useful. Building on earlier research, scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have found that injections of BBG can relieve mice of secondary spinal cord injuries. In September, they will start conducting human clinical trials."

The funding doesn't need to be from the Federal government, but some corporations, institutions, or charities need to be funding research in a variety of arenas without the intent to produce marketable products (just knowledge). From such research, great things frequently come.