Nestle Joins Trend, Vows to Eliminate Artificial Colors in U.S. Products

Nestle announced on Wednesday its plan to eliminate artificial colors from its food and beverage products sold in the United States by mid-2026. This commitment places Nestle among a growing number of major food companies making similar pledges.

Last week, Kraft Heinz and General Mills also announced their intentions to remove artificial dyes from their U.S. products, with a target date of 2027. General Mills further specified its plan to remove these dyes from its U.S. cereals and all foods served in K-12 schools by mid-2026.

This trend enjoys considerable public support. A recent poll indicated that approximately two-thirds of Americans favor restricting or reformulating processed foods to remove ingredients like added sugar or dyes. Furthermore, both California and West Virginia have recently implemented bans on artificial dyes in foods served in schools.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill requiring foods containing artificial dyes or additives to include a safety label beginning in 2027. This label will indicate that the ingredients are "not recommended for human consumption" in several international regions.

The federal government is also increasing its scrutiny of artificial colors. In January, U.S. regulators banned the dye Red 3 from the nation's food supply, decades after it was banned from cosmetics due to potential cancer risks. In April, the Health Secretary and FDA Commissioner stated the agency would take steps to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026, primarily through voluntary industry efforts.

Nestle has previously made a similar commitment. In early 2015, the company announced its intention to remove artificial flavors and colors by the end of that year, but this promise was not fully realized.

Nestle stated that it has been removing synthetic dyes from its products over the past decade, with 90% of its U.S. portfolio already free of them. However, some products, such as Nesquik Banana Strawberry milk, still contain these dyes.

Nestle emphasized its commitment to adapting to the evolving nutritional needs and preferences of its U.S. consumers. The company's U.S. CEO stated that they are continuously seeking ways to provide appealing choices and are evolving alongside consumers' changing dietary preferences and nutritional needs.