Nestlé and Conagra are leading the charge among food giants to eliminate synthetic dyes from their US product range.
Nestlé aims to phase out color additives in its food and beverage products by “mid-2026”, while Conagra is targeting the same goal for its frozen products by the end of 2025, as stated by the companies.
This initiative follows commitments from Kraft Heinz and General Mills earlier this month.
In its announcement, Nestlé stated it will “fully eliminate FD&C colours in its US food and beverage portfolio by mid-2026.”
Nestlé USA CEO Marty Thompson noted, “Consumers enjoy a wide variety of foods and beverages as part of their daily diet. They want choice and value shaped by a dynamic – and highly personal – combination of nutrition, quality, price and convenience.”
He added, “As their diverse dietary preferences and nutritional needs evolve, we evolve with them.”
The Swiss food and beverage titan, known for brands like Nesquik, DiGiorno, and Toll House cookie dough with M&Ms, reported that over 90% of its US offerings are already free from synthetic colors.
Tom McGough, executive vice president and COO of Conagra Brands, shared, “Our leading portfolio of frozen brands, including Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, and Marie Callender’s, will be 100% free from FD&C colours by the end of 2025.”
Conagra also plans to eliminate FD&C colours from its entire US retail product lineup by the end of 2027, including school products by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
This commitment comes in response to a Texas law signed on June 22 by Governor Greg Abbott, which mandates warning labels on products containing synthetic dyes, effective 2027.
Moreover, in March, West Virginia banned the use of seven synthetic dyes in school lunches and food items. Similarly, California took action in 2023, banning four substances, including potassium bromate and Red Dye No. 3.
In April, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced initiatives to phase out petroleum-based food dyes by the end of next year.
In its announcement, the FDA stated it is “establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.”
