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17h ago

Federal Agencies Move to Ban Synthetic Food Dyes as Study Finds One in Five Products Contain Them

Plans to eliminate six petroleum-based colorings by 2026 have prompted major brands like Kraft Heinz to commit to dye-free reformulations by 2027.

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The company's logo is seen at a Nestle plant in Konolfingen, Switzerland September 28, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File photo

Overview

  • A June analysis of nearly 40,000 packaged foods and beverages found 19% contain at least one synthetic dye, with Red 40 present in 14% of items.
  • Products featuring synthetic dyes averaged 33.3 g of sugar per 100 g, 141% more than undyed equivalents, signalling dyes are used to market sweet products.
  • In April the FDA announced it will phase out six dyes by the end of 2026 while HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlined measures to ban all petroleum-based colorings nationwide.
  • Kraft Heinz pledged to eliminate artificial colors from its portfolio by 2027, joining PepsiCo and other major manufacturers in voluntary reformulations.
  • State legislatures in West Virginia, California and Texas have introduced bills to ban or require labels for synthetic dyes in foods, reflecting rising local regulatory pressure.