Major food companies Kraft Heinz and General Mills announced on Tuesday their plans to eliminate artificial colors from their products following Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy’s efforts to crack down on synthetic dyes.
In April, RFK disclosed his intentions to phase out eight synthetic food dyes using a series of strategic negotiations with food companies, in addition to revoking authorization for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B. In response on June 17, Kraft Heinz and General Mills announced plans to reduce or eliminate their usage of artificial dyes. Heinz says it currently uses artificial dyes in 10 percent of their products, and Mills claims to do so in 15 percent of its products.
General Mills says its changes, which entail removing artificial colors from its U.S. cereal and K-12 foods, will be complete by the summer of 2026. The company claims to be “the leading provider of whole grains to Americans,” and changes to its cereals will doubtlessly collide with the everyday lives of U.S. consumers. Jeff Harmening, General Mills CEO and chairman, stated in the press release, “Knowing the trust families place in us, we are leading the way on removing certified colors in cereals and K-12 foods by next summer. We’re committed to continuing to make food that tastes great and is accessible to all.”
Similarly, Kraft Heinz has stated its U.S. products will be entirely rid of artificial coloring by the end of 2027, saying the company is “dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways.”
Kennedy met with several large companies in March, asking them to remove all artificial dyes by the end of Trump’s term. While it’s been noted by ABC News that his plan to enforce this request is unclear, he has been met with encouraging compliance. Kraft Heinz and General Mills are two of the most notable examples. Kennedy tweeted an announcement of Kraft Heinz’s cooperation, noting that the administration’s actions are proving effective in changing the behavior of large corporations.
Kennedy made clear his strong stance on artificial food dyes in April when he announced, “Today, the FDA is taking action to remove petroleum-based food dyes from the U.S. food supply and from medications. For the last 50 years, American children have increasingly been living in a toxic soup of synthetic chemicals.”
He has been met with some resistance, however. The International Association of Color Manufacturers released a statement expressing frustration with RFK’s timeline: “Requiring reformulation by the end of 2026 ignores scientific evidence and underestimates the complexity of food production. This process is neither simple nor immediate, and the resulting supply disruptions will limit access to familiar, affordable grocery items.” But most companies are taking a more compliant stance than that articulated by the IACM.
In response to Kennedy’s efforts, the Consumer Brands Association, a United States-wide trade association for manufacturers of consumer packaged goods, sent a memo back in April to the Health and Human Services Department on behalf of its members indicating support for the administration’s plan, according to ABC News. CBA constituents include brands like Nestlé, The Campbell’s Company, and Coca-Cola. Melissa Hockstad announced on behalf of the CBA, “Consumer Brands has long asked HHS and FDA to reestablish themselves as the country’s leading regulatory authority and we appreciate that the administration has reasserted their leadership in response to the myriad of state activity in the food regulation space.”
Kennedy’s measures have primarily included working with the food companies and corporations directly. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary says the goal is to achieve policy aims through the willing participation of companies without the force of legislation or regulation if possible, according to Reuters. In addition to restricting the future use of dyes, the FDA approved the usage of two new natural colorings and expanded the legal usage of a third in early May. This gives companies a means of replacing artificial additives.
Secretary Kennedy has been a key player in President Donald Trump’s interagency commission to “Make America Healthy Again,” which Trump established shortly after Kennedy was sworn in. Kennedy has consistently and publicly criticized the systemic ways Americans are kept sick by poor nutrition and overmedication, and he has argued that the removal of artificial coloring is a crucial step in improving the health of American children.