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Consumers likely remember the government announcing a synthetic dye ban last year. Many products have publicly (both in media and on the packaging itself) demonstrated their compliance on the subject. This could leave consumers with a false sense of safety on the subject.
While the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a “phase out” plan for these newly outlawed additives, manufacturers did not have to do this right away. In fact, they were not even required to remove these chemicals and dyes in 2025 (except for a select two that aren’t really in use any more).
How many products are impacted by the synthetic dye ban? What companies have complied? Is there final ban date?
Let’s explore!
Synthetic dyes are in a significant number of packaged foods and drinks in the United States. One study (published before the April 2025 announcement) found that nearly one in five such products contain these synthetic food dyes.
The study, conducted by researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, the University of North Carolina, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest analyzed products made by the 25 larges food manufacturers in the United States.
The focus of the study was based on the top five food categories that are most heavily marketed to children.
The study found that 28% of the above food categories contained synthetic dyes. Around 11% of other food categories contained them.
They also looked at sugar content. Apparently, food products containing synthetic dyes had significantly higher amounts of sugar too. An average of 141% more according to the study.
Which companies had the most products with synthetic dyes? Confectionery companies topped the list.
At least 60% of products made by Ferrero contained artificial coloring. Mars came in next at 52%. Over half of PepsiCo’s energy drinks contained synthetic dyes.
When it comes to sports drinks, the study found 79% contained them. All sports drinks. Regardless of manufacturer.
Granted, this data is somewhat out of date. Though it does serve as a snapshot of what the industry looked like prior to strengthened government oversight.
What companies have actually made efforts to reformulate their products in response to the impending synthetic dye ban?
That information is actually available to the public. The FDA has an entire page for Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes.
The current table contains 22 companies and a listing of the products they have pledged to reformulate. The table, of course, does not contain the entire product catalogs of these companies. It is, however, a good indicator of what companies and brands are making the effort.
The available list is current as of “12/12/2025.”
According to the chart, a handful of companies have already complied with at least some of their products.
For example, In-N-Out Burger has “eliminated certified color additives from Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade.” It is unclear if other products on the menu contain additives on the synthetic dye ban.
As of May 2025, Tyson Foods, Inc. has eliminated certified color additives from their Tyson, Jimmy Dean, and Hillshire Farm products.
You may have also noticed updated packaging on certain chip products. PepsiCo, Inc launched new formulations of Cheetos and Doritos products and claims “new products made with no artificial flavors or dyes, and completely colorless.” However, existing formulations are available for sale to the public. Which is in line with the fine print of the synthetic dye ban. But more on that in a bit.
Other companies have pledged to remove synthetic dyes from their products in 2026.
For example, Mars, Inc. says they will “offer product options without certified colors starting in 2026,” for their Extra, M&M’s, Skittles Original, and Starburst products. However, it does not mention whether or not other products containing these dyes will be available to the public.
PIM Brands, Inc, says they will remove artificial dyes in all Welch’s Fruit Snacks products by early 2026.
Nestle, S.A., claims that they are removing certified color additives in their Carnations, DiGiorno, Gerber, Hot Pockets, Nespresso, Stoufer’s, and Toll House products along with their entire portfolio by mid-2026.
Campbell’s products including Lance Crackers; V8 Splash; regional snacks brands such as Jay’s, O-Ke-Doke, and Tom’s cookies are in this category. Campbell’s “will no longer produce any food or beverages with FD&C colors by the second half of the 2026 fiscal year.”
Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V., maker of Arnold, Little Bites, and Thomas products, pledges to “remove certified colors from the entire portfolio by the end of 2026.
Additionally, Walmart Inc. claims that they are removing certified color additives and more than 30 other ingredients (like certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fat substitutes from their private brand foods (Walmart, Great Value, Marketside, Freshness, etc.) by January 2027.
Conagra Brands, Inc mentions products like Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Marie Callender’s, and Slim Jim. While their frozen product portfolio has eliminated certified color additives by the end of 2025, other products and those sold to K-12 schools will be eliminated by the end of 2027.
Other companies are milking the timeline, indicating that they will comply by the end of 2027.
For example, The Hershey Company says that their Brookside, Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, Jolly Rancher, KitKat, Skinny Pop, and Twizzlers will have certified color additives eliminated by the end of 2027.
The J.M Smucker Company has also pledged to eliminate certified color additives from consumer products like reduced sugar fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and certain Hostess brand products. They too have indicated they will not sell products with certified color additives to K-12 schools by the end of 2027.
The Kraft Heinz Company has pledged to eliminate certified color additives from Crystal Light, Kool Aid, MiO, Jell-O, and Jet-Puffed products by the end of 2027.
Utz Brands plans to do the same from their entire product portfolio.
WK Kellogg Co indicates that they will not launch any new products with certified color additives beginning in January 2026 (which is the minimum required under the synthetic dye ban). Additionally, FD&C color will be removed from products sold to schools by the end of the 2027 school year for their Kellogg’s Apple Jacks, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies varieties, Kellogg’s Foot Loops, and various licensed cereal products.
General Mills, Inc. pledges to eliminate certified color additives from all U.S. cereals and all K-12 school products by the Summer of 2026 and other products from their retail portfolio by the end of 2027. Including products like Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Chex Cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Haagen-Daz, Pilsbury, Progresso, and Trix.
The International Dairy Foods Association indicates that it will eliminate the use of certified artificial colors from ice cream and frozen dairy desserts by 2028. Color additives in milk, cheese, and yogurt products sold to K-12 schools will be eliminated by the end of 2027.
Kellanova, another provider to K-12 schools, also indicated that they will remove FD&C colors by the end of December 2027. As does The American Bakers Association, and Consumer Brands Association.
Other brands have made pledges, but have not provided a timeline.
Danone U.S. has indicated that they will “eliminate certified color additives from U.S. portfolio” for their Light + Fit Greek, and Yo Crunch yogurts. However, no specific timeline has been provided for the FDA table.
McCormick & Company, Inc has also indicated that they will reformulate flavors, seasonings, condiments, and spices for their Franks RedHot, French’s and McCormick products. But no timeline has been provided for the FDA table as well.
So, what is the required timeline?
In April 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced a plan for removal of these synthetic dyes in a press release that laid out the phase out period for the synthetic dye ban.
Major milestones included:
Next year, food in the United States will likely look differently. More like what is already mainstream in more health-conscious countries in Europe.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Despite Synthetic Dye Ban, These Harmful Products Remain on Store Shelves,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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