Major Food Brands commit to Phasing Out Artificial Food Dyes by 2026
In a notable shift for the food industry, several major manufacturers have pledged to eliminate synthetic color additives from their products, responding to growing consumer demand and regulatory pressures.
Companies including WK Kellogg, Nestle, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and Conagra have announced plans to transition away from FD&C (Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) certified synthetic color additives.WK Kellogg, for instance, aims to reformulate its cereals served in schools to exclude these dyes by the 2026-27 school year and will cease launching new products with FD&C colors starting January 2026. This move follows public pressure, including protests calling for the removal of artificial dyes from popular cereals like Froot Loops.
The shift presents considerable challenges for brands that have long relied on the stability and vibrancy of artificial colorings. Renee Leber, a food scientist at the Institute of Food Technologists, notes that many natural food dyes have shorter shelf lives compared to their synthetic counterparts, which can often outlast the product itself. She also anticipates a “bottleneck” in the production of natural color alternatives as multiple brands simultaneously seek to reformulate their products within a limited timeframe.
While the move is not an outright ban, industry experts suggest it is likely to drive widespread change. Leber explains that in a competitive market, companies with brightly colored products may feel compelled to switch to natural alternatives if their rivals do, to avoid being left behind.”It’s a tight timeframe but companies are doing their best to comply,” she added.
