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  5. Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes
  1. Color Additives - Information for Consumers

Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes

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On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration announced a bold national initiative to phase out petroleum-based food dyes (certified color additives) from the American food supply – marking a significant milestone in the Trump Administration’s efforts to Make America Healthy Again.

As part of this effort, the FDA is working closely with food manufacturers, retailers, and trade associations to eliminate six remaining certified color additives frequently used in the food supply - FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2 - by the end of 2027. The FDA is also taking action to swiftly remove the color additive regulations that allow for the use of Orange B and Citrus Red No. 2. Earlier this year, FDA revoked the authorization for FD&C Red No. 3.

“Parents and doctors have concerns about petroleum-based food dyes, which have no nutritional benefit,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH. “Given the epidemic we face of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD, it’s common sense to work together to remove these chemicals as part of our broader effort to work to improve children’s healthy eating patterns.”

Across the country, companies are stepping up and reformulating their products with alternative colors derived from natural sources and setting ambitious timelines to complete the transition.

Below is a summary of industry commitments, as of December 12, 2025. Companies can contact the FDA’s Food and Cosmetic Information Center to ensure their commitments are reflected on this page.

Industry Tracker: Pledges to Remove Petroleum-Based Food Dyes

CompanyProduct(s) or Brand(s) AffectedPlanned ChangesStatus
Sam's ClubMember's Mark food and beverage products
  • Eliminated certified synthetic colors/FD&C colors
Complete
Campbell'sLance Crackers, V8 Splash; regional snacks brands such as Jay's, O-Ke-Doke, Tom's; cookie brands such as Archway, Stella D'oro
  • Will no longer produce any food or beverages with FD&C colors by the second half of the 2026 fiscal year
In Progress
Utz BrandsAll products
  • Will eliminate all FD&C colors from the entire product portfolio by the end of 2027.
In Progress
American Bakers AssociationABA Member List
  • Eliminate the use of certified FD&C colors in all baked goods provided to K-12 schools through the National School Breakfast, Lunch, and Competitive Foods Programs by the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.
In progress
Conagra Brands, Inc.Birds Eye®, Duncan Hines®, Marie Callender's®, Slim Jim® 
  • Eliminate of certified color additives from U.S. frozen product portfolio by the end of 2025. 
  • Will not sell products with certified color additives to K-12 schools by the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Discontinue the use of certified color additives across U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027. 
In progress
Consumer Brands Association (CBA)Member List
  • Stop using certified color additives for school meals by 2026 school year.
  • Encourage America's food and beverage makers to stop manufacturing with certified color additives in products by December 31, 2027. 
In progress
Danone U.S.Light + Fit Greek, YoCrunch
  • Eliminate certified color additives from U.S. portfolio.
In progress
General Mills, Inc.Betty Crocker®, Bisquick®, Chex® Cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch®, Häagen-Dazs™, Pillsbury®, Progresso®, Trix®
  • Eliminate certified color additives from all U.S. cereals and all K-12 school foods by summer 2026. 
  • Eliminate certified color additives from full U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027.
In progress
Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V.ARNOLD®, Little Bites®, THOMAS'®.
  • Remove certified colors from the entire portfolio by the end of 2026. 
In progress
In-N-Out Burger®Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade
  • Eliminated certified color additives from Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade. 
Complete
International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)Specific companies not disclosed. 
  • Eliminate the use of certified color additives in milk, cheese, and yogurt products sold to K-12 schools for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs by the start of the 2026-2027 school year, or July 2026. 
  • Eliminate the use of certified artificial colors from ice cream and frozen dairy desserts by 2028.
In progress
Kellanova®Specific brands not disclosed.
  • Removing FD&C colors from U.S. K-12 foods offered in schools within the 2026/27 school year and for retail foods by December 31, 2027.
In progress
Mars, Inc.Extra®, M&M's®, SKITTLES® Original, Starburst®
  • Offer product options without certified colors starting in 2026.
In progress
McCormick & Company, Inc.FRANK'S RedHot®, French's®, McCormick®
  • Reformulate flavors, seasonings, condiments, and spices.
In progress
Nestlé S.ACarnations®, DIGIORNO®, Gerber®, Hot Pockets®, Nespresso®, Stouffer's®, Toll House®
  • Eliminate certified color additives in U.S. food and beverage portfolio by mid-2026. 
In progress
PepsiCo, Inc.New Cheetos® and Doritos® products
  • New products made with no artificial flavors or dyes, and completely colorless
Complete
PIM Brands, Inc.Welch's® Fruit Snacks
  • Remove artificial dyes in all products by early 2026. 
In progress
The Hershey CompanyBROOKSIDE®, Dot's Homestyle Pretzels®, JOLLY RANCHER®, KitKat®, SKINNYPOP®, Twizzlers® 
  • Eliminate certified color additives from snacks by the end of 2027.
In progress
The J.M. Smucker CompanyCertain varieties of reduced sugar fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and a selection of products from our Hostess brand
  • Will not sell products with certified color additives to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Eliminate certified color additives from consumer food products by the end of 2027.
  • Description of the alternative color sources or reformulation approach 
In progress
The Kraft Heinz CompanyCrystal Light®, Kool-Aid®, MiO®, Jell-O®, Jet-Puffed® 
  • Eliminate certified color additives from products by the end of 2027.
In progress
Tyson Foods, Inc.Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, HILLSHIRE FARM® 
  • Eliminate certified color additives from products by the end   of May 2025.
Complete
Walmart, Inc.All Walmart private brand foods in the U.S. are included, such as: Great Value, Marketside, Freshness
  • Walmart U.S. is removing certified color additives and more than 30 other ingredients — like certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes — from its private brand foods, to be completed by January 2027.
In progress
WK Kellogg Co®Kellogg's APPLE JACKS®, Kellogg's RICE KRISPIES® varieties, Kellogg's FROOT LOOPS®, Various Licensed Cereal Products
  • Will not launch any new products with certified color additives beginning in January 2026. 
  • Eliminate certified color additives from existing food products by the end of 2027.
  • Removing FD&C colors in K-12 cereals served in schools by the 2026-2027 school year.
In progress
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