Nestlé and Conagra Brands have joined other major food manufacturers in pledging to phase out synthetic dyes from their US products.
Swiss giant Nestlé plans to remove colour additives in its food and drinks products “by mid-2026”, while Conagra is targeting the same for its frozen goods by the end of the year, the companies said in separate statements.
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The moves follow similar commitments from Kraft Heinz and General Mills earlier this month.
In its statement, Nestlé said it will “fully eliminate FD&C colours in its US food and beverage portfolio by mid-2026”.
Marty Thompson, the CEO of Nestlé US operations, said: “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. As their diverse dietary preferences and nutritional needs evolve, we evolve with them.”
Nestlé, which sells Nesquik, DiGiorno, and Toll House cookie dough with M&Ms, said that more than 90% of its US products are already free of synthetic colours.
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By GlobalDataIn its statement, Conagra said it will further its portfolio overhaul by eliminating FD&C colours from its entire US retail product line-up by the end of 2027 and from primary and secondary school products by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
COO Tom McGough said: “Our leading portfolio of frozen brands, including Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender’s and more, will be 100% free from FD&C colours by the end of 2025.”
This follows a Texas law signed on 22 June by Governor Greg Abbott, which mandates warning labels on products with synthetic dyes, beginning in 2027.
In March, West Virginia banned the use of seven synthetic dyes in school lunches and food items. California took similar action in 2023, banning four substances, including potassium bromate and Red Dye No. 3.
The following month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced measures to phase out petroleum-based food dyes by the end of next year.
In its announcement, the FDA said it was “establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives”.
