Brands Committed to Artificial Colors Removal Since 2025

The movement to eliminate artificial colors from food products has gained significant momentum in 2025, driven largely by the FDA’s announcement in April 2025 to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. This announcement has led to the phasing out of artificial colors through voluntary action by many U.S. food companies, who are taking steps to eliminate dyes from their products as part of a broad industry movement. These efforts are not only in response to regulatory changes but are also intended to generate goodwill among consumers concerned about food safety. The Associated Press has reported on these industry commitments and regulatory changes, highlighting the widespread adoption of voluntary action. The removal of artificial colors also involves a review of approved dyes and the regulatory process to ensure safer alternatives are used. Below is a comprehensive list of all brands and organizations that have committed to removing artificial colors from their products since the beginning of 2025.

*Please note this is a living document and will continue to be updated throughout the year.

Major Food Manufacturers

Kraft Heinz announced in June 2025 that it will remove all Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colors from its U.S. products by the end of 2027. The company stated that approximately 90% of its U.S. products already don’t contain these colors, but products that still use them include Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, and Jet Puffed. They also committed to not launching any new products with synthetic dyes, effective immediately. Kraft Heinz and General Mills are reformulating their products to avoid disruption in their supply chains and maintain consumer trust as regulations and consumer preferences shift.

General Mills pledged in June 2025 to remove synthetic dyes from all U.S. cereals and K-12 school foods by summer 2026, with complete elimination from its entire U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027. The company noted that 85% of its products are already dye-free.

Nestlé USA announced in June 2025 that it will eliminate artificial colors, including synthetic colors, from its U.S. food and beverages by mid-2026. The company stated that 90% of its U.S. products already contain no synthetic dyes. Nestlé brands potentially affected include Smarties, KitKats, Lean Cuisine, Stouffer’s, Nestlé Toll House, Nesquik, and Häagen-Dazs.

Conagra Brands committed in June 2025 to remove artificial colors from its frozen foods by the end of 2025, with complete elimination from its entire portfolio by the end of 2027. The company’s frozen brands include Marie Callender’s, Healthy Choice, and Birds Eye. Conagra also pledged to remove dyes from products for schools by the 2026-2027 school year.

J.M. Smucker announced in June 2025 that it will remove artificial colors from its products by the end of 2027. The company also committed to removing synthetic dyes from foods sold to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year.

Tyson Foods committed in May 2025 to eliminate synthetic dyes from its production process by the end of May 2025, making it one of the fastest companies to act. CEO Donnie King noted that most of the company’s retail-branded products, including Tyson chicken nuggets, already don’t contain these dyes.

PepsiCo announced in April 2025 that it would remove artificial colors from Lay’s and Tostitos by the end of 2025, with plans to transition its entire portfolio to natural colors. CEO Ramon Laguarta stated that over 60% of PepsiCo’s U.S. food business already doesn’t contain artificial colors.

Hershey Company announced in July 2025 that it will remove synthetic dyes and synthetic colors from its snacks by the end of 2027. This affects products branded Jolly Rancher, Reese’s, Good & Plenty, and Twizzlers.

WK Kellogg (maker of Froot Loops and Apple Jacks) pledged in July 2025 to remove artificial colors from its cereals by the end of 2027. The company had previously committed to not introducing new products with synthetic dyes beginning in January 2026 and removing them from school cereals by the 2026-2027 school year.

The FDA has the authority to revoke authorization for artificial colors, including synthetic colors, that do not meet safety standards.

Dairy and Ice Cream Industry

International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced in July 2025 that dozens of ice cream and frozen dessert companies, representing over 90% of U.S. ice cream sales, pledged to remove seven artificial food dyes from their products by 2028. Many companies are also transitioning to natural dyes as safer, FDA-approved alternatives to synthetic dyes. The commitment includes removing Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. Concerns about potential links between some artificial dyes and cancer, as observed in laboratory studies, have influenced these industry decisions.

Turkey Hill Dairy was specifically mentioned as participating in the IDFA ice cream initiative. This reflects a broader industry shift away from chemicals and artificial additives in ice cream and frozen desserts.

Restaurant Chains

In-N-Out Burger became one of the first major fast-food chains to eliminate artificial dyes, announcing in May 2025 that it had removed artificial colors from its pink lemonade and strawberry syrup. The chain also committed to transitioning to ketchup made with real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup.

Concerns about the potential impact of artificial dyes on children's health, especially regarding neurobehavioral issues, have motivated some restaurant chains to make these changes. According to regulatory agencies, most children do not experience adverse effects from artificial food dyes, but some may be more sensitive.

Other Food Companies

Danone North America announced it is working to remove artificial dyes from its U.S. portfolio, which includes Yo Crunch, Light & Fit, and Oikos brands. CEO Shane Grant stated that approximately 2% of Danone’s products currently contain artificial dyes. Concerns about the potential adverse effects of artificial dyes, such as neurobehavioral issues and hyperactivity in children, have driven these companies to act.

TreeHouse Foods, which sells private label foods and beverages, confirmed it has been working to phase out artificial colors and is already meeting future standards in some cases. The regulatory environment, including actions taken during the Trump administration, has also influenced company decisions regarding the use of artificial colors.

Industry Associations

Consumer Brands Association made a significant commitment in July 2025, pledging on behalf of its member companies to remove certified FD&C petroleum-based colors from America’s food supply by December 31, 2027. The association first encouraged companies to remove these colors from foods served in schools by the 2026-2027 school year. Brooke Rollins, a senior government official at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has supported these voluntary actions, working alongside industry leaders to promote healthier food standards.

Timeline Summary

The artificial color removal commitments fall into several key timeframes:

• By End of 2025: Conagra (frozen foods only), PepsiCo (Lay's and Tostitos), Tyson Foods (completed May 2025)

• By Mid-2026: Nestlé USA, General Mills (cereals and K-12 foods)

• By 2027: Kraft Heinz, General Mills (full portfolio), Conagra (full portfolio), J.M. Smucker, Hershey, WK Kellogg

• By 2028: Ice cream industry (IDFA members)

Natural Alternatives to Artificial Colors

As the food industry moves to remove artificial food dyes, the search for natural alternatives has accelerated, transforming the way food manufacturers approach color in their products. Driven by consumer demand for cleaner labels and the regulatory push to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes, companies are turning to innovative natural color additives to maintain the visual appeal of foods like ice cream, frozen dairy desserts, and snacks.

One standout among these new natural color options is butterfly pea flower extract, prized for its ability to create vibrant blue hues in foods and beverages. Similarly, gardenia blue, derived from the gardenia fruit, is gaining popularity as a plant-based alternative to synthetic blue dyes. Calcium phosphate, a mineral-based white pigment, is also being used to replace artificial colors in a variety of dairy foods and frozen treats.

Regulatory agencies are supporting this transition. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved several new natural color additives, including galdieria extract, a blue pigment sourced from algae, and expanded the use of gardenia blue. These approvals reflect a growing recognition of the need for safer, more sustainable color additives in the food industry. Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has also championed the removal of synthetic dyes, aligning with public interest and scientific findings on the potential health risks associated with artificial colors.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has emphasized the agency’s commitment to supporting the development and approval of new natural color options, citing the importance of science and public health in shaping food policy.

Looking ahead, the trend toward natural color additives is expected to accelerate, with more food manufacturers and ice cream makers pledging to remove synthetic dyes from their products. With strong support from regulatory agencies, industry associations, and consumers, the food industry is poised for a significant transformation—one that prioritizes health, sustainability, and the use of natural ingredients in the foods we enjoy every day.

A Practical Approach for Today

While many brands are gradually removing artificial colors from their products, there are still numerous other artificial additives such as preservatives, flavors, sweeteners, and emulsifiers that health-conscious consumers monitor closely. WISEcode offers confidence in your health choices by scanning any packaged food’s barcode to provide a transparent, easy-to-understand breakdown of all ingredient risks.

Make empowered choices now, even as the industry slowly evolves.

Download WISEcode today.