FDA ban and state pressure accelerate artificial dye phase-out
FDA Red 3 ban and state pressure accelerate industry-wide artificial dye removal.
Event / Economy
Artificial Dyes Removal Food Industry
Major food companies including General Mills and WK Kellogg are removing artificial colors from products and replacing them with natural dyes derived from fruits, vegetables, and spices, driven by health concerns about artificial dyes' effects on children and regulatory actions including FDA bans.
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2 articles0 articles
2026-08-28 to 2026-11-08 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Aug, 02:04 UTC
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What happened
FDA banned petroleum-based dye Red 3
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned one petroleum-based dye, Red 3, because some studies suggested it caused cancer in lab rats.
WK Kellogg to remove artificial colors from all U.S. cereals by end of 2026
WK Kellogg, which makes Froot Loops and Apple Jacks, announced it will remove artificial colors from all its U.S. cereals by the end of 2026, making it the first major cereal maker to complete this transition.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged food companies to phase out petroleum-based artificial dyes
President Donald Trump's health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urged food companies to phase out petroleum-based artificial dyes from their products.
Walmart to remove artificial colors from store brands by January 2027
Walmart announced it will remove artificial colors from its store brand products by January 2027, adding retailer pressure on food manufacturers to transition to natural dyes.
General Mills signed agreement with Texas Attorney General on synthetic dye removal
General Mills signed an agreement with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stating it would remove synthetic dyes from all its products by the end of 2027.
General Mills removes artificial colors from all U.S. cereals
General Mills announced that all of its U.S. cereal products, including Lucky Charms and Trix, have been removed of artificial colors. The company shifted to fruit- and vegetable-based dyes as well as colors derived from spices like turmeric and paprika to give cereals their customary bright colors.
General Mills previously removed artificial dyes from Trix in 2015
General Mills removed artificial dyes from Trix in 2015 but brought them back two years later in 2017, stating that U.S. customers missed the bright colors.
General Mills completes 90% of U.S. retail portfolio transition to natural dyes
General Mills said 90% of its U.S. retail products are now free of artificial dyes. The company remains on track to remove certified colors from its full U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027, including fruit snacks and baking products like Betty Crocker cake mixes and Fruit Roll-Ups.
Target to stop selling cereals with artificial colors by end of May 2026
Target announced it would stop selling cereals that contain artificial colors by the end of May 2026, forcing food manufacturers to accelerate their transition to natural dyes.
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2 alternative perspectives
Major food brands accelerate transition away from artificial dyes
Major food brands are replacing artificial dyes with natural alternatives across cereals and branded products through 2027.