Two major US food producers, Kraft Heinz and General Mills, plan to remove artificial dyes from their US products starting in 2026-2027. The decision comes after the FDA urged foodmakers to phase out petroleum-based artificial colors.
Kraft Heinz will remove artificial dyes from its US products by the end of 2027, while General Mills plans to eliminate these dyes from all US cereals and school meals by summer 2026. Both companies already use natural or no colors in most of their products, with Kraft Heinz eliminating artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives from its macaroni and cheese in 2016.
The move follows FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s announcement that the agency would take steps to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026. Health advocates have long called for the removal of artificial dyes, citing concerns over their impact on children’s health.
In Canada and Europe, manufacturers use natural substitutes instead of synthetic colors. Several US states have also passed laws restricting the use of artificial colors in foods. Other US food companies are already reformulating their products to use natural hues made from beets, algae, and crushed insects.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/kraft-heinz-dye-ketchup-70a48b9af69583e24755392daf9f1a4a