Nestlé USA has announced its commitment to eliminate synthetic food colors from its entire U.S. food and beverage portfolio by the middle of 2026. The company joins a growing list of major food manufacturers pledging to remove artificial dyes from their products. This move comes amid mounting health concerns linked to these additives and aligns with recent governmental pressure on the industry.
According to Nestlé USA, the transition process is scheduled to be completed within the next 36 months. The company stated that a significant portion of its current offerings already do not contain synthetic colors, with over 90% of its U.S. portfolio currently free from these additives. This indicates that much of the groundwork for this shift has already been laid.
The pledge represents a continuation of efforts Nestlé USA says it has been undertaking over the past decade. The company has actively been removing synthetic colors from its products during this time, working to identify alternative solutions for recipes where they were still in use. This latest announcement finalizes a clear timeline for the complete removal across its U.S. range.
Nestlé’s U.S. CEO Marty Thompson addressed the decision in a statement, emphasizing the company’s focus on consumer preferences. “We are always looking for different ways to offer great – tasting, compelling choices for our consumers,” Thompson said. “As their diverse dietary preferences and nutritional needs evolve, we evolve with them.”
This commitment by Nestlé USA encompasses a wide array of its well – known brands sold in the United States. The removal of artificial colors will affect products across the company’s extensive lineup, including items under brand names such as KitKat, Hot Pockets, Stouffer’s, Häagen – Dazs, and Purina pet foods. The company highlighted that this decision aligns with consumer demand for “nutrition, quality, and convenience.”
The announcement from Nestlé USA follows similar pledges made by several other significant players in the consumer packaged goods market. Conagra Brands Inc., Nestlé USA, and J.M. Smucker were all named among the companies adding their brands to the list of those committing to remove artificial dyes from their products, according to one report.
Conagra Brands, based in Chicago, outlined its specific plans for this transition. The company stated it would complete the removal of certified Food, Drug & Cosmetic colors, known as FD&C colors, from its U.S. frozen product portfolio later this year. This includes leading frozen brands like Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, and Marie Callender’s.
Tom McGough, executive vice president and COO of Conagra Brands, confirmed the timeline for their frozen products. “Our leading portfolio of frozen brands, including Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender’s and more, will be 100% free from FD&C colors by the end of 2025,” McGough stated.
Conagra’s efforts extend beyond their frozen foods and cover their full U.S. retail portfolio. The company also committed to not offering products containing FD&C colors sold to K – 12 schools starting from the beginning of the 2026 – 2027 school year. Furthermore, Conagra said it is working towards discontinuing the use of FD&C colors in the manufacturing of products across its entire U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027.
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J.M. Smucker, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, also announced its intentions regarding artificial colors. The company stated it would remove FD&C colors from all consumer food products by the end of the calendar year 2027. This commitment is framed as a response to changing consumer preferences.
Mark Smucker, CEO and chair of the board at J.M. Smucker, commented on the historical context of the company’s evolution. “Throughout our 128 – year history, we have successfully evolved our portfolio and product offerings based on shifts in consumer preferences,” Mark Smucker said. He added that the commitment to remove FD&C colors from specific products like their sugar – free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and sweet baked goods represents the latest example of their desire to evolve and their ability to continue to innovate to meet consumer expectations.
J.M. Smucker is also addressing the K – 12 school market, similar to Conagra. The company said it is working with its distribution partners to ensure that products with FD&C colors will no longer be sold to K – 12 schools by the 2026/2027 school year. This indicates a coordinated effort involving their supply chain.
John Brase, president and CEO of J.M. Smucker, highlighted the internal work being done to facilitate this change. Brase stated that the company’s teams are working “diligently on reformulation planning while evaluating supply considerations to help ensure we continue to deliver products that delight our consumers.”
The list of major companies making such pledges continues to grow. Earlier this month, Kraft Heinz also announced its plan to phase out all artificial dyes from its U.S. products by 2027. This adds another significant food manufacturer to the list of those moving away from synthetic colors.
General Mills is another company that previously announced plans to remove artificial dyes from its U.S. products by 2027. General Mills further specified its intentions regarding schools, stating it plans to remove synthetic dyes from its U.S. cereals and all foods served in K – 12 schools by mid – 2026.
Kraft Heinz, in addition to its overall 2027 goal, has also said it would stop launching new products containing artificial colors in the United States. The company plans to eliminate synthetic dyes from existing items by the end of 2027, according to reports.
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The movement away from artificial colors isn’t limited to these large companies alone. Several other packaged food companies, including W.K. Kellogg and Tyson Foods, have been actively reformulating their products. These companies are working to exclude artificial colors from their existing items and introducing new products that are already free of synthetic dyes.
This wave of corporate pledges is occurring within a broader context of increased scrutiny on artificial colors by the federal government. In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on red dye No. 3 in food products. This action came nearly 35 years after the same dye had been banned from cosmetics due to potential cancer risks identified at that time.
In April, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held a press conference focusing on the issue. Secretary Kennedy is described as among the strongest critics of these additives. He and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary announced steps the FDA would take to eliminate synthetic dyes.
Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary stated in April that the FDA was asking food companies to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of the following year, meaning by the end of 2026. This approach largely relies on voluntary participation from food manufacturers, which aligns with the recent wave of corporate announcements.
The stated purpose behind this governmental push is to address health conditions such as ADHD, obesity, and diabetes. Commissioner Makary issued a strong statement regarding the potential impact of these dyes, particularly on children.
“We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD,” Makary said in a statement. He continued, “Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum – based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children.”
Secretary Kennedy has also voiced his concerns in stark terms. He has referred to the color additives as “poisonous compounds.” He argues that these dyes offer “no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development.” This underscores the perceived health risks driving the government’s stance.
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The dyes in question, FD&C colors, are synthetic additives. They are approved by the FDA for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics. Specifically, petroleum – based food dyes are synthetic color additives derived from crude oil. Examples include artificial dyes such as Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Blue No. 1.
The recent corporate moves and government actions follow decades of scrutiny surrounding the safety and health effects of these artificial dyes. Public opinion also appears to support greater restrictions or reformulation.
According to an AP – NORC poll cited by CBS News, about two – thirds of Americans support restricting or reformulating processed foods to remove added dyes. This suggests that the industry’s shift aligns with prevailing consumer sentiment and concern about these ingredients.
States are also taking action on this matter, sometimes independently of federal regulations. California and West Virginia have recently implemented bans on artificial dyes in foods served in schools. This reflects concerns specific to the dietary environment of children.
Further illustrating state – level action, in late June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill addressing foods made with synthetic dyes or additives. The new law requires a safety label on such products sold in the state. The label will be mandated to state that the products contain ingredients “not recommended for human consumption.”
While many companies are now pledging to remove synthetic colors, the context mentions specific instances where these dyes were still present. For example, some of Conagra’s products still relied on them.
Duncan Hines’ Comstock County Cherry pie filling, for instance, was noted to use Red 40. Its Creamy Strawberries n’ Cream Frosting used both Red 40 and Yellow 5. Conagra’s Swiss Miss Butterscotch pudding contained Yellow 6, Red 40, and Blue 1, according to the information provided.
The information also highlights that Nestlé’s U.S. CEO Marty Thompson emphasized that the company’s decision reflects consumer demand for “nutrition, quality, and convenience.” This reiterates the consumer – driven aspect behind the corporate pledges.
Regarding specific Nestlé products, the context noted that among those that still contained synthetic dyes was Nesquik Banana Strawberry milk, which was made with Red 3. This provides a concrete example of a product affected by Nestlé’s pledge.
The shift away from synthetic dyes often involves substituting them with natural alternatives. Conagra’s efforts across its portfolio already make a point of using natural dyes in some instances.
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For example, on a jar of Vlasic kosher pickle spears, Conagra notes that they are colored with turmeric, not the synthetic Yellow 5. For the cheesy color in its frozen vegetable sides or its Orville Redenbacher popcorn, Conagra uses annatto, a plant extract. These examples show the types of natural ingredients companies are turning to as replacements.
It is also relevant to note that Nestlé has made commitments regarding artificial colors in the past. Early in 2015, the company said it would remove artificial flavors and colors from its products by the end of that year. However, the information provided notes that this earlier promise did not hold.
Secretary Kennedy’s efforts are also linked to a broader initiative. He is noted as being involved in the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative. This initiative aims to “lead a coordinated transformation of our food, health, and scientific systems” to ensure that “all Americans – today and in the future – live longer, healthier lives, supported by systems that prioritize prevention, well – being, and resilience.”
The voluntary participation from food manufacturers in removing petroleum – based synthetic dyes is framed within this larger initiative by Secretary Kennedy and the FDA. The April announcement from Secretary Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Makary requesting companies to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026 fits within this framework.
Commissioner Makary’s statement about the epidemic of childhood diseases like diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD directly links the call for removing dyes to specific public health concerns. His emphasis on not taking risks and safeguarding children’s health highlights the perceived urgency of the issue.
The decision by companies like Nestlé, Conagra, J.M. Smucker, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills to set timelines for the removal of synthetic colors reflects a significant shift in the food industry. This shift appears to be driven by a confluence of factors, including evolving consumer preferences, growing health concerns supported by advocacy groups and government officials, and specific regulatory actions like the ban on Red No. 3.
The targeted removal of these dyes from products destined for K – 12 schools by multiple companies underscores a particular focus on the health of children. The state – level actions in California, West Virginia, and Texas further demonstrate that this is a public health issue gaining traction at different levels of government.
The use of natural alternatives like turmeric and annatto in some existing products by companies like Conagra shows that viable substitutions are available. The challenge for these companies now lies in reformulating the wide variety of products that still contain synthetic dyes to meet their announced deadlines while maintaining product quality and appeal for consumers.
The pledges, particularly Nestlé’s commitment to complete the transition by mid – 2026, represent a substantial undertaking. The fact that over 90% of Nestlé USA’s portfolio is already free of synthetic colors provides a baseline, but the remaining portion still requires significant work in formulation and sourcing of alternative ingredients.
The industry – wide movement, involving some of the largest food manufacturers in the U.S., indicates a major change in the landscape of processed foods. The voluntary nature of the FDA’s request to eliminate dyes by the end of 2026, coupled with the companies setting their own timelines around that period, suggests a cooperative approach between regulators and the industry, spurred by public and governmental pressure.
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The history of Nestlé’s previous pledge in 2015, which did not fully materialize, adds a layer of context to the current announcement. However, the current commitment, alongside those from numerous other major companies and in response to specific government actions and health concerns, suggests that a more definitive and widespread shift is underway.
The removal of synthetic dyes from a broad range of products, from frozen meals and snacks to cereals and even pet food, as seen with brands like Purina under the Nestlé umbrella, highlights the pervasive use of these colors in the food supply and the scale of the reformulation efforts required.
The statements from company executives like Nestlé’s Marty Thompson and J.M. Smucker’s Mark Smucker consistently link the decision to evolving consumer demand and the desire to offer products that align with current preferences for “nutrition, quality, and convenience.” This frames the corporate action as a market – driven response.
The specific health concerns mentioned, including links to allergies, cancer, behavioral changes, ADHD, obesity, and diabetes, provide the scientific and public health rationale frequently cited for the move away from these petroleum – based dyes. The government’s focus on these issues, as articulated by Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary, reinforces the seriousness of the concerns being addressed by the industry.
The state – level regulatory actions, such as bans in schools and mandatory labeling, demonstrate that jurisdictions are willing to act if federal action is not perceived as sufficient or timely. These state initiatives add further impetus for national companies to reformulate their products consistently across the U.S. market.
The overall picture that emerges is one of a food industry responding to increasing pressure from consumers, health advocates, and regulators. The pledges by Nestlé and others to eliminate synthetic colors represent a significant step in this evolution, aiming to align product ingredients with perceived healthier standards and evolving expectations.
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The stated timelines from the various companies, mostly converging around the mid – 2026 to end – of – 2027 period, suggest a coordinated or at least parallel effort across the industry. This concentrated period for reformulation indicates a potentially rapid change in the ingredients found in many common U.S. food and beverage products.
The voluntary approach championed by Secretary Kennedy and the FDA, seeking industry cooperation to meet the 2026 target, appears to be yielding results in the form of these public commitments. The scale of the companies involved signifies that these changes will impact a vast segment of the U.S. food supply.
Ultimately, the success of these pledges will depend on the companies’ ability to execute their reformulation plans within the announced timelines. The move away from synthetic colors represents a notable shift in ingredient sourcing and product development for these major food corporations.
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