Food companies to phase out artificial colours amid ‘Make America Healthy Again’ campaign
/ Our Today
administrator
Reading Time: 3minutes
FILE PHOTO: Breakfast cereals are displayed for sale, as U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., along with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, announce the FDA’s intent to remove from the U.S. food supply “petroleum-based synthetic” food dyes, which are present in numerous foods such as breakfast cereals, candy, snacks, and beverages, at a grocery store in Medford, Massachusetts, U.S., April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
(Reuters)
Packaged food makers in the U.S. have rolled out plans to eliminate the use of FD&C colours – a category of synthetic dyes – from their products, responding to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative and changing consumer preferences.
In April, Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency aims to remove artificial food colors from the food supply against the backdrop of mounting concerns about their potential links to health issues such as ADHD, obesity and diabetes. Here are the companies that are preparing to eliminate synthetic dyes from their food products in the U.S.:
Candy is displayed for sale, as U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., along with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, announce the FDA’s intent to remove from the U.S. food supply “petroleum-based synthetic” food dyes, which are present in numerous foods such as breakfast cereals, candy, snacks, and beverages, at a grocery store in Medford, Massachusetts, U.S., April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
Company
Comment
Target Year
Mars
To introduce products made without artificial colours that will be available in the U.S. across its gum, fruity confection and chocolate candy categories from brands including Extra, Skittles, Starburst and M&M’s.
In 2026
Hersheys
Plans to remove synthetic dyes from snacks.
End of 2027
J.M. Smucker
Smucker said it would remove synthetic food colours from all consumer food products, and that it is working to stop selling products with synthetic dyes to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year.
End of 2027
Conagra Brands
Will remove synthetic dyes from U.S. frozen product portfolio and eliminate the use of artificial colours in food served to K-12 schools by 2026-27.
End of 2027
Nestlé USA
To fully eliminate synthetic food colours from its U.S. food and beverage portfolio. Over 90% of current categories are already dye-free, the company said.
Mid-2026
General Mills
Cheerios maker will remove artificial colours from its entire U.S. retail business and eliminate the use of synthetic dyes from all its U.S. cereals and foods served in K-12 schools by summer 2026.
End of 2027
Kraft Heinz
Will not launch new products with artificial colours in the U.S. and aims to eliminate synthetic dyes from existing items.
End of 2027
Sam’s Club
Walmart-owned Sam’s Club will eliminate over 40 ingredients, including artificial colours and aspartame, from private label brand Member’s Mark.
End of 2025
Tyson Foods
Company said it would reformulate food products containing petroleum-based synthetic dyes.
End of May, 2025
WK Kellogg
Will remove FD&C colours from foods that contain them by the end of 2027, and will not launch new products with the colours from January 2026. Reformulating cereals served in schools to exclude synthetic dyes.
By the end of 2027
PepsiCo
Will remove artificial colours from K-12 schools food portfolio, starting this upcoming school season. To migrate the portfolio to natural colours or at least provide the consumer with natural colour options.
By next couple of years
Kellanova
On track to remove synthetic colours from U.S. K-12 foods within the 2026/27 school year and from retail foods by 2027-end
Comments