Just two months after the FDA requested the food industry to voluntarily eliminate six synthetic dyes by 2027, food companies are swiftly taking steps to publicly showcase their initiatives. Although the removal of these ingredients is challenging, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and now Nestlé USA have highlighted that their product lines are largely free from artificial colors, with at least 85% devoid of synthetic dyes. Nestlé is taking a more proactive approach by committing to a timeline that is ahead of General Mills and Kraft Heinz, both of which aim to complete their reformulations by the end of 2027. Over the past decade, Nestlé USA has been actively removing synthetic colors from its products and is working to identify alternative solutions for recipes that still use them.
“Consumers enjoy a wide variety of foods and beverages as part of their daily diet,” stated Marty Thompson, CEO of Nestlé USA. “As their diverse dietary preferences and nutritional needs evolve, we evolve with them.” The FDA has indicated that the phase-out of artificial dyes is voluntary, but officials have warned that they could increase pressure on the industry to act if progress is not made swiftly. Companies are eager to set their own targets rather than face potentially more aggressive or unfeasible mandates from the administration.
Some industry executives have expressed concerns that the FDA may be moving too quickly in its efforts to eliminate artificial colors. They emphasize that businesses will need time to secure an adequate supply of natural ingredient replacements, such as calcium citrate and vitamin D2, and to evaluate how these new colors will affect product shelf life, pricing, and packaging. Meanwhile, individual states are pursuing their own, more stringent regulations as part of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again Movement.” For instance, West Virginia has banned seven food dyes from products sold within the state, and Texas has enacted a law requiring warning labels for products containing certain ingredients. As companies navigate these changes, they must consider alternatives like calcium citrate and vitamin D2 to ensure compliance and meet consumer expectations.