Policy
Company pledges and labelling rules
What food makers have said they will change, and the rules that name the same ingredients. Each entry links to where it was published. A pledge is the company’s own statement; the food pages still show what the label says today.
Company commitments
General Mills
Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Pillsbury, Progresso, Trix
Take certified (FD&C) colors out of every U.S. cereal and every K-12 school food, then out of the full U.S. retail line.
General Mills reports its K-12 foods and all U.S. cereals switched and about 90% of its U.S. retail line done; the retail goal is end of 2027.
Synthetic dyes · Announced June 17, 2025 · Target December 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · General Mills newsroom
The Kraft Heinz Company
Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Crystal Light, MiO, Jet-Puffed
Remove FD&C colors from its U.S. products before the end of 2027 and launch no new U.S. products that use them.
Synthetic dyes · Target December 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · Kraft Heinz newsroom
Nestlé USA
Eliminate FD&C colors from its whole U.S. food and drink portfolio by mid-2026.
Synthetic dyes · Announced June 25, 2025 · Target June 30, 2026 · Status: done · Nestle USA newsroom
Conagra Brands
Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Marie Callender's, Slim Jim
Take certified colors out of its frozen line by end of 2025, stop selling them to K-12 schools from the 2026-27 school year, and clear the rest of its U.S. retail line by end of 2027.
Synthetic dyes · Target December 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · FDA industry tracker
The Hershey Company
Brookside, Dot's Homestyle Pretzels, Jolly Rancher, KitKat, SkinnyPop, Twizzlers
Remove FD&C certified colors from its U.S. products beginning in 2027.
Hershey said in July 2026 that it remains on track.
Synthetic dyes · Target December 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · Hershey newsroom
The J.M. Smucker Company
Hostess, reduced-sugar fruit spreads, ice cream toppings
Remove FD&C colors from all consumer food products by end of 2027 and stop selling them to K-12 schools from 2026-27.
Synthetic dyes · Announced June 26, 2025 · Target December 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · Smucker investor news
Kellanova
Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Nutri-Grain
Remove FD&C colors from U.S. school foods within the 2026-27 school year and from retail foods by Dec 31, 2027.
Synthetic dyes · Announced July 22, 2025 · Target December 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · Kellanova newsroom
WK Kellogg Co
Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Rice Krispies
Remove all artificial colors, and the preservative BHT in cereal packaging, across its cereal line; the August 2026 release pulled the color deadline forward a year to end of 2026.
The August 2026 release says reformulated cereals go into production later this year and ship before year-end.
Synthetic dyes, Preservatives · Target December 31, 2026 · Status: in progress · WK Kellogg Co press release (PR Newswire)
Mars
M&M's, Skittles Original, Starburst Original, Extra gum
Sell versions of four brands made without certified colors starting in 2026, as an added choice; Mars has said it is not removing all artificial colors in the U.S.
Synthetic dyes · Status: done · FDA industry tracker
PepsiCo
Doritos, Cheetos
Make new Doritos and Cheetos products with no artificial flavors or dyes.
Synthetic dyes · Status: done · FDA industry tracker
PepsiCo
Gatorade
Remove artificial colors from all Gatorade powder sticks in spring 2026, and FD&C colors from fruit punch, lemon-lime and orange Thirst Quencher and Zero in fall 2026.
Synthetic dyes · Target December 31, 2026 · Status: in progress · FDA industry tracker
Mondelez International
Move its U.S. products to non-synthetic color alternatives.
Synthetic dyes · Status: in progress · FDA industry tracker
The Campbell's Company
Lance, V8 Splash, Jay's, Tom's, Archway, Stella D'oro
Stop making any food or drink with FD&C colors by the second half of its 2026 fiscal year.
Synthetic dyes · Status: done · FDA industry tracker
Tyson Foods
Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm
Remove petroleum-based synthetic dyes from its U.S. branded products by end of May 2025.
Synthetic dyes · Target May 31, 2025 · Status: done · FDA industry tracker
Tyson Foods
Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Wright, State Fair, Aidells, ibp
Stop using high fructose corn syrup, sucralose, BHA/BHT and titanium dioxide in its U.S. branded products.
Corn syrup, Artificial sweeteners, Preservatives · Announced September 15, 2025 · Target December 31, 2025 · Status: announced · Tyson Foods newsroom
Walmart
Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, bettergoods
Remove synthetic dyes and about 30 other ingredients, including some preservatives and artificial sweeteners, from its U.S. private-brand foods.
Synthetic dyes, Artificial sweeteners, Preservatives · Announced October 1, 2025 · Target January 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · Associated Press via PBS News
Target
all cereal sold in stores and online
Remove certified synthetic colors from all cereal it sells by end of May 2026.
Synthetic dyes · Target May 31, 2026 · Status: done · FDA industry tracker
Sam's Club
Member's Mark
Eliminate certified synthetic colors from Member's Mark food and drinks.
Synthetic dyes · Status: done · FDA industry tracker
Save A Lot
private-label products
Remove certified colors from all private-label foods, Red 3 by end of 2026 and the rest by end of 2027.
Synthetic dyes · Target December 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · FDA industry tracker
Grupo Bimbo
Arnold, Little Bites, Thomas'
Remove artificial colors from its whole portfolio by end of 2026.
Synthetic dyes · Announced July 29, 2025 · Target December 31, 2026 · Status: in progress · Grupo Bimbo release on Bimbo Bakeries USA site
Bimbo Bakeries USA
Artesano, Oroweat, The Rustik Oven, Sara Lee, Little Bites, Thomas'
Finish removing artificial colors from sweet baked goods and snacks by end of 2026, and artificial preservatives and emulsifiers from named brands by end of 2027 (Artesano, Oroweat breads, Rustik Oven) and end of 2028 (Sara Lee, Oroweat specialty, Little Bites, Thomas').
Staged targets running to the end of 2028.
Synthetic dyes, Preservatives · Announced July 2, 2026 · Target December 31, 2028 · Status: announced · Bimbo Bakeries USA press release
Takis (Barcel USA)
Takis Fuego, Takis Blue Heat
Remove artificial colors and the preservative TBHQ across the whole Takis line by end of 2026.
Takis says the phased rollout is under way.
Synthetic dyes, Preservatives · Announced June 25, 2026 · Target December 31, 2026 · Status: in progress · Takis press release (PR Newswire)
McKee Foods
Little Debbie, Sunbelt Bakery, Drake's, Fieldstone Bakery
Remove artificial dyes by end of 2027.
Synthetic dyes · Target December 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · FDA industry tracker
Utz Brands
all Utz products
Remove all FD&C colors from its entire line by end of 2027.
Synthetic dyes · Target December 31, 2027 · Status: in progress · FDA industry tracker
McCormick & Company
Frank's RedHot, French's, McCormick
Reformulate flavors, seasonings, condiments and spices to drop certified colors.
Synthetic dyes · Status: in progress · FDA industry tracker
Danone North America
Light + Fit Greek, YoCrunch
Eliminate certified color additives from its U.S. portfolio.
Synthetic dyes · Status: in progress · FDA industry tracker
PIM Brands
Welch's Fruit Snacks
Remove artificial dyes from all Welch's Fruit Snacks by early 2026.
Synthetic dyes · Target March 31, 2026 · Status: done · FDA industry tracker
In-N-Out Burger
Strawberry Shakes, Signature Pink Lemonade
Take certified color additives out of its strawberry shakes and pink lemonade.
Synthetic dyes · Status: done · FDA industry tracker
The Coca-Cola Company
Coca-Cola
Add a Coca-Cola made with U.S. cane sugar to its U.S. lineup, as an extra choice next to the corn-syrup version.
Launched in limited form in autumn 2025 with a measured rollout; the corn-syrup version stays on sale.
Corn syrup · Announced July 22, 2025 · Status: in progress · Fortune
Steak n Shake
Cook fries, tots, onion rings and tenders in beef tallow rather than seed oil, and keep working to remove seed oils from other fried items and buns.
Fries and tots are cooked in tallow with no seed oil; other fried items and buns are still being changed. The chain also serves cane-sugar Coke.
Seed oils, Corn syrup · Announced January 16, 2025 · Status: in progress · Steak n Shake
Rules, by date
August 2, 2024
FDA: Brominated vegetable oil revoked
FDA removed the only food use of brominated vegetable oil; the rule took effect Aug 2, 2024 with one more year for companies to comply.
May 9, 2025
FDA: Three natural colors approved
FDA approved Galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate and an expanded use of butterfly pea flower extract for listed foods and drinks.
July 14, 2025
FDA: Gardenia blue approved
FDA approved gardenia (genipin) blue for sports drinks, flavored waters, fruit drinks, teas and candy, and sent a letter urging faster Red 3 removal.
August 1, 2025
West Virginia: HB 2354: seven dyes out of school meals
Bars Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 from meals in school nutrition programs.
Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3 · West Virginia Legislature
September 1, 2026
Texas: SB 314: additives out of school meals
Schools may not serve free or reduced-price meals containing a listed set of dyes and additives, for food contracts made or renewed on or after Sept 1, 2026.
Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, Titanium dioxide, BHA, Azodicarbonamide, Potassium bromate, Propylparaben, Brominated vegetable oil · Texas Legislature
January 1, 2027
California: AB 418: four ingredients banned from food sold in the state
Bans selling food containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben or Red 3 in California.
Brominated vegetable oil, Potassium bromate, Propylparaben, Red 3 · California Governor signing message
January 1, 2027
Texas: SB 25: warning label for 44 ingredients (enjoined)
Requires a warning on packaged food that contains any of 44 listed ingredients, including most dyes, BHA, BHT, azodicarbonamide, potassium bromate and propylparaben, for labels developed or copyrighted on or after Jan 1, 2027. A federal court paused enforcement against the plaintiffs on Feb 11, 2026 and the state has appealed.
Red 40, Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2, Titanium dioxide, BHA, BHT, Azodicarbonamide, Potassium bromate, Propylparaben · Texas Legislature
January 15, 2027
FDA: Red No. 3 authorization revoked
FDA withdrew approval of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs. Food makers must reformulate by Jan 15, 2027 and drug makers by Jan 18, 2028; products made before then may stay on shelves. FDA has also asked food makers to drop it sooner, which is voluntary.
July 1, 2027
Iowa: HF 2676: dyes, potassium bromate and propylparaben out of school food
Part of the 2026 Iowa act; restricts listed color and food additives in school meals, with an exception for USDA-delivered foods.
Potassium bromate, Propylparaben · National Agricultural Law Center
December 31, 2027
California: AB 2316: six dyes out of public school food
Public schools may not serve or sell food and drink containing Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 or Yellow 6.
Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 · California Department of Education
January 1, 2028
West Virginia: HB 2354: statewide sales ban (blocked by court)
Treats food with those dyes plus BHA and propylparaben as adulterated statewide from Jan 1, 2028. A federal judge paused this part on Dec 23, 2025, so it cannot be enforced while the injunction stands; the school ban is not affected.
Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, BHA, Propylparaben · West Virginia Legislature
January 1, 2028
Alaska: SB 187: seven dyes out of school meals
Bars Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 from school breakfast and lunch.
Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3 · National Agricultural Law Center
July 1, 2028
New Hampshire: SB 577: three dyes barred, six discouraged in school meals
Public schools may not offer food with Red 3, Citrus Red 2 or Orange B in breakfast or lunch, and are encouraged (not required) to avoid six other dyes.
Red 3, Citrus Red 2, Orange B · National Agricultural Law Center
January 1, 2029
Louisiana: SB 14 (Act 463): additives and QR-code labeling
Signed June 2025; limits listed ingredients in school food and requires a QR-code disclosure on foods that contain listed ingredients. A 2026 amendment (SB 57) narrowed the disclosure to ingredients named on the label and moved compliance to Jan 1, 2029.
No date set
FDA: Request to phase out six petroleum-based dyes
Announced April 22, 2025: HHS and FDA asked industry to stop using Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 and Blue 2 voluntarily and to drop Red 3 early, and promised faster review of natural colors. FDA gives end of 2027 as the target; no regulation requires it.
No date set
FDA: Orange B authorization revoked
FDA issued a final order removing the only approved food use of Orange B, on sausage and frankfurter casings, because industry had stopped using it. The order appeared in the Federal Register on July 23, 2026.
No date set
FDA: Proposal to revoke Citrus Red No. 2 (not final)
FDA proposed removing the approval for Citrus Red No. 2 on orange skins, saying industry has abandoned it. Comments closed Aug 24, 2026; this is a proposal, not yet a requirement.
No date set
FDA: Beetroot red approved, effective date delayed
FDA issued a final order approving beetroot red on Feb 6, 2026, then delayed its effective date on March 24, 2026 while it reviews objections.