JM Smucker has emerged as the latest prominent player in the food and beverage packaging industry to commit to eliminating artificial colours from its consumer products in the US.
The company will remove these additives “by the end of calendar year 2027,” according to a statement released yesterday (26 June).
These adjustments will impact JM Smucker’s sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and the products within its Hostess brand portfolio.
In a strategic move, the group which acquired sweet snacks group Hostess Brands for $5.6 billion two years ago stated that the “majority” of its consumer foods are already free of FD&C colours.
Furthermore, JM Smucker indicated that most products supplied to primary and secondary schools also do not contain these additives.
The company is collaborating with distribution partners to eliminate items featuring colour additives from schools by the “2026/2027 school year.”
John Brase, JM Smucker’s president and COO, noted that the company’s “teams are working diligently on reformulation planning while evaluating supply considerations.”
This latest initiative aligns with similar commitments made by industry counterparts like Nestlé and Conagra Brands.
Nestlé plans to remove colour additives from its food and beverage products “by mid-2026,” while Conagra Brands aims to eradicate artificial colours from its frozen goods by year-end.
Earlier this month, Kraft Heinz announced plans to phase out synthetic dyes across its entire portfolio by the end of 2027. Similarly, General Mills committed to removing artificial colours from products like cereals and snacks, with a target completion date of early next year.
