Packaged food makers in the U.S. are phasing out the use of FD&C colors — a category of synthetic dyes — from their products, responding to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s initiative and changing consumer preferences. In April, Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency aims to remove petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply, amid growing concerns about their potential links to health issues such as ADHD, obesity, and diabetes. Here are the companies preparing to eliminate synthetic dyes from their food products in the U.S.: Mars plans to make its gum, fruity confection, and chocolate candy products without artificial colors, with these products available in the U.S. across brands including Extra, Skittles, Starburst, and M&M's by 2026. Hershey plans to remove synthetic dyes from its snacks by the end of 2027. J.M. Smucker said it will remove synthetic food colors and work to stop selling products with synthetic dyes to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year. Conagra Brands will remove synthetic dyes from its U.S. frozen product portfolio and eliminate the use of artificial colors in food served to K-12 schools by 2026-27. Nestlé USA aims to fully eliminate synthetic food colors, with over 90% of its current categories already dye-free, and plans to achieve full elimination by mid-2026. General Mills, the maker of Cheerios, will remove artificial colors and eliminate synthetic dyes from all its U.S. cereals and foods served in K-12 schools by summer 2026. Kraft Heinz aims to eliminate synthetic dyes from its existing items by the end of 2027. Sam's Club, owned by Walmart, will eliminate artificial colors and aspartame from its private label Member's Mark brand by the end of 2025. Tyson Foods said it will remove products containing petroleum-based synthetic dyes, with the change to be completed by end of May 2025. WK Kellogg will remove FD&C colors from foods that contain them by the end of 2027 and will not launch new products with these colors starting January 2026. PepsiCo plans to remove synthetic dyes from its K-12 schools food portfolio, starting with the upcoming school season, and will migrate the portfolio to natural colors or at least provide consumers with natural color options over the next few years. Kellanova is on track to remove synthetic colors from U.S. K-12 foods within the 2026/27 school year and from retail foods by the end of 2027.

Food companies to phase out artificial colors amid 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign

Packaged food manufacturers in the U.S. are committing to phase out synthetic food dyes, such as FD&C colors, in response to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative and shifting consumer preferences. The move is driven by growing concerns over potential health impacts including ADHD, obesity, and diabetes. Major food companies including Mars, Hershey, J.M. Smucker, Conagra Brands, Nestlé USA, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Sam's Club, Tyson Foods, and WK Kellogg have announced timelines to eliminate or reduce the use of artificial colors in their products, particularly in K-12 school food programs and retail offerings, with most targets set between 2025 and 2027.