Two significant players in the food industry have declared their intention to eliminate artificial dyes from their products sold in the U.S., effective from 2027. This announcement follows guidance from health officials who recommended reducing the use of petroleum-derived artificial colors.
Kraft Heinz made it known on Tuesday that it intends to remove artificial colors from all its U.S. offerings starting in 2027 and promised not to introduce any new products featuring these dyes. Almost simultaneously, General Mills also declared that it would phase out synthetic dyes from all its cereals sold in the U.S., as well as food products provided in K-12 education between now and the summer of 2026. The ultimate goal is to achieve a complete overhaul of its U.S. retail inventory by 2027.
Kraft Heinz emphasized that nearly 90% of their products already do not contain food, drug, and cosmetic (FD&C) colorants. For those that still do, the company insists these additives will be removed by the end of 2027. These FD&C colors, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are typically synthetic compounds used in the production of food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
The company pointed out that some of its most vibrant products, particularly those in the beverage and dessert sectors, rely on FD&C colors. This includes brands such as Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Jell-O, and Jet-Puffed. Moving forward, Kraft Heinz plans to substitute these with natural colorants.
Pedro Navio, Kraft Heinz’s North America President, stated, “Most of our products either contain natural colors or none at all, and we’ve been actively working to lessen our dependence on FD&C colors in the rest of our product lines.” The company took strides to eliminate artificial colors from its macaroni and cheese in 2016 and has never used them in its ketchup. Additionally, they plan to collaborate with third-party companies using their brands to eradicate these synthetic dyes.
General Mills mentioned that the upcoming changes affect only a small fraction of their K-12 school products since most of these no longer use artificial colors. Currently, 85% of the company’s retail products are already free from these dyes. Jeff Harmening, Chairman and CEO of General Mills, commented, “Throughout our history, General Mills has swiftly adapted to consumer demands, and our ongoing product reformulations to eliminate certified colors are another step in this direction.”
In April, the FDA Commissioner, Marty Makary, addressed the issue by highlighting that the agency would work towards eliminating synthetic dyes by 2026, primarily by encouraging voluntary compliance within the food industry.
There has been persistent advocacy from health groups to remove artificial dyes, with some studies suggesting they could be linked to neurobehavioral issues like hyperactivity and attention disturbances in children. Despite these claims, the FDA maintains that the dyes approved for use are safe and that comprehensive scientific research indicates minimal adverse reactions in most children exposed to these additives.
Currently, the FDA approves 36 coloring agents for food, eight of which are synthetic. In early 2023, the agency revealed plans to prohibit the use of the dye Red 3—which has been linked to cancer in lab rats—in conventional food products by 2027.
While artificial colors remain a staple in U.S. food production, there has been a shift in other regions like Canada and Europe, where warning labels accompany synthetic colorings, encouraging manufacturers to adopt natural alternatives.
This transition is not isolated, as several states in the U.S., such as California and West Virginia, have already enacted legislation limiting artificial colors in food. As noted by Sensient Colors, a major producer of food dyes, numerous American companies have commenced reformulating their products, swapping synthetic colors for natural ones derived from beets, algae, crushed insects, and pigments obtained from sources like purple sweet potatoes, radishes, and red cabbage.