General Mills says it will remove artificial dyes from all foods by end of 2027

General Mills, a Minnesota-based company, has announced plans to remove artificial coloring from all of its products within the next two years. Currently, 85% of its retail products and “nearly all” of its school offerings are already made without “certified colors.” The company aims to eliminate dyes from all of its cereals and school products by the summer of 2026, and the rest of its lineup by the end of 2027. While General Mills did not specify which brands contain artificial dyes, it did confirm the discontinuation of three Cheerios flavors: Honey Nut Cheerios Medley Oat Crunch, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios, and Honey Nut Cheerios Minis. This decision is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to meet evolving consumer needs.

CEO and Chairman Jeff Harmening stated, “Across the long arc of our history, General Mills has moved quickly to meet evolving consumer needs, and reformulating our product portfolio to remove certified colors is yet another example.” This move aligns with a similar announcement made by Kraft Heinz on the same day. In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services urged the food industry to stop using synthetic food dyes, although they did not impose a complete ban. Currently, the FDA permits 36 food color additives, including eight synthetic dyes, which are commonly used in U.S. products.

General Mills, with its headquarters in Golden Valley, Minnesota, reported $20 billion in net sales last year. The company’s commitment to removing artificial coloring reflects a broader industry trend towards cleaner, more natural ingredients. As consumers become more conscious of what they eat, food companies are responding by reformulating their products to meet these changing preferences.

It is important to note that the original article was written by Eric Henderson and Mary Cunningham, who contributed to the report. Anthony Bettin, a web producer at CBS Minnesota, provided additional information about the company and its initiatives. This move by General Mills underscores its dedication to meeting consumer demands for transparency and cleaner ingredients in their food products.