As federal and state authorities intensify their crackdown on artificial dyes in the food supply, an increasing number of companies, including Hershey, are taking action by eliminating these ingredients from their products. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has urged the industry to voluntarily phase out six synthetic dyes by 2027. Additionally, pressure is building at the state level; for instance, West Virginia is prohibiting food companies from selling items containing seven commonly used additives and colors, while Texas will require warning labels on products with synthetic dyes starting in 2027.
In its statement, Hershey noted that the emerging patchwork of state regulations is causing confusion among consumers, which ultimately risks driving up costs. The Pennsylvania-based company emphasized that a “strong national food ingredient approval system is the best way to ensure food safety, affordability, and quality in the marketplace.” Companies are increasingly finding it more straightforward to support a uniform federal mandate rather than navigate varying state requirements. Furthermore, as competitors take steps to eliminate controversial colors, the pressure on the entire industry to act has significantly increased.
Hershey, which reported $11.2 billion in net sales last year, owns brands that depend on artificial colors, such as Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher, and Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies. However, the vast majority of its portfolio does not utilize synthetic dyes. As part of this industry shift, the inclusion of alternatives like calcium citrate d is gaining attention as companies seek to enhance product safety and appeal to health-conscious consumers. The demand for transparency and cleaner ingredients, including calcium citrate d, is pushing Hershey and others to rethink their formulations in alignment with consumer preferences.