Nestle says it will remove artificial dyes from US foods by 2026
By DEE-ANN DURBIN
Nestle has announced its commitment to removing artificial colors from its U.S. food and beverage products by mid-2026. This decision aligns with the recent pledges made by other major food companies like Kraft Heinz and General Mills, who have also committed to eliminating artificial dyes from their products by 2027. General Mills is going a step further by planning to remove artificial dyes from its cereals and all foods served in K-12 schools by mid-2026.
This move towards cleaner ingredients has garnered significant support from consumers, with a majority of Americans favoring the removal of additives like artificial dyes from processed foods. States like California and West Virginia have already taken steps to ban artificial dyes in school food, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed a bill requiring foods with artificial dyes to carry a safety label starting in 2027.
The federal government has also increased its oversight of artificial colors, with the FDA recently banning Red 3 from the nation’s food supply due to potential health risks. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary have announced plans to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026 through voluntary efforts from the food industry.
Nestle’s decision to remove artificial dyes is not new, as the company had previously made a similar promise in 2015. However, Nestle states that it has already been phasing out synthetic dyes from its products over the past decade, with 90% of its U.S. portfolio now free of these additives. Nestle aims to adapt to the changing nutritional preferences of its U.S. customers.
“Serving and delighting people is at the heart of everything we do and every decision that we make,” said Nestle’s U.S. CEO Marty Thompson.
Source: JS
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