Cutting Out the Chemicals: Big Food Companies Jump on the Health Bandwagon
Food conglomerate General Mills plans to eliminate synthetic colorants from its product line, following other American food companies in prioritizing natural ingredients.
In a move that could shake up the food industry, major players like General Mills and Kraft Heinz are phasing out synthetic food dyes from their US products. This decision corresponds to broader market trends and consumer preferences for cleaner, more natural ingredients.
Fox News' senior medical analyst, Dr. Marc Siegel, weighs in on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to make America healthier as he targets sugar, food dyes, and COVID vaccines for kids. His campaign against artificial colors in food echoes the recent commitments from General Mills and Kraft Heinz.
General Mills announces plans to remove artificial colors from its U.S. cereals and all K-12 school foods by summer 2026. The company aims to eliminate these chemicals from its entire U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027. Notably, 85% of its U.S. retail portfolio is already free of synthetic dyes.
Simultaneously, Kraft Heinz pledges to drop all artificial dyes from its U.S. portfolio by the end of 2027. About 90% of its products are already dye-free. Both companies follow in the footsteps of McCormick, which has been working with restaurants and foodmakers to reformulate products without food dyes since March.
These artificial dyes, commonly labeled as FD&C colors, are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and must adhere to a strict system of approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long argued that these petroleum-based chemicals pose real dangers to children's health and development without offering any nutritional benefit.
The FDA seeks to eliminate FD&C Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and 6, Blue No. 1 and 2 from the food supply by the end of 2026. The eleven-year-old daughter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kick Kennedy, has also been vocal about the dangers of these synthetic dyes. In April, Kennedy Jr. and the FDA announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply, with voluntary support from food manufacturers.
This strategic approach benefits both companies, who view the transition not just as regulatory compliance but as a competitive advantage opportunity. General Mills is focusing on accelerated removal in cereals and school foods first, while Kraft Heinz is using a “3Rs” strategy (Remove, Replace, and Reinvent), tailoring approaches product-by-product. The FDA is supporting the industry by fast-tracking approvals of natural color alternatives and accelerating reviews for other natural options to replace synthetic dyes.
[1] Healthline, "What Are Food Dyes, and Are They Harmful?", Link[2] FoodNavigator-USA, "General Mills pledges to remove artificial colors from all US products by end of 2027", Link[3] Food Business News, "Kraft Heinz's synthetic color phaseout timeline: What we know so far", Link[4] Food Dive, "FDA reviewing pending GRAS safety determinations for several food substances", Link[5] The Washington Post, "FDA nixes use of artificial food coloring in ingredients", Link
- General Mills' decision to eliminate artificial colors from its entire US retail portfolio by the end of 2027 aligns with the company's focus on health-and-wellness, reflecting consumer preferences for cleaner, more natural ingredients in their food-and-drink choices.
- Kraft Heinz, following General Mills' lead, aims to drop all artificial dyes from its US portfolio by the same deadline. This move is part of the company's strategy to adapt to shifting lifestyle trends and cater to consumers who prioritize health-and-wellness.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s advocacy against synthetic dyes in food, especially his concern about its impact on children's health and development, has gained significant traction in the politics and general-news arena, prompting food manufacturers to reconsider the use of these chemicals in their products.
- The phasing out of petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply not only addresses health concerns but also offers an opportunity for food companies to refresh their portfolios and position themselves as pioneers in the science of nutrition and food safety, appealing to a wider audience interested in a healthier lifestyle.
