Overview

• In June, J.M. Smucker Co. announced it will remove artificial colors from all its food products by the end of 2027, including items served in K-12 schools during the 2026–27 academic year.
• Nestlé pledged to eliminate synthetic dyes from its U.S. products by mid-2026, noting that 90% of its offerings already lack artificial colorants.
• Conagra Brands, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills have each set targets to phase out petroleum-based dyes from their U.S. product lines by the end of 2027.
• The FDA banned Red No. 3 in January, and regulators have urged a voluntary phase-out of nine petroleum-based dyes by the end of 2026 over links to cancer and behavioral issues.
• Food manufacturers are accelerating reformulations with natural, plant-derived colorants to satisfy consumer preferences as states impose school bans and new labeling requirements.