What Companies Are Removing Artificial Dyes from Their Products?

October 14, 2025 •

2 min read

In recent years, consumption of artificial food dyes has increased dramatically in the United States, yet numerous studies link these dyes to health concerns such as hyperactivity in children. This growing awareness, combined with rising consumer demand for 'clean label' products, has prompted significant industry change, leading many to ask: What companies are removing artificial dyes?. The shift towards natural alternatives is accelerating across the food and beverage landscape.

Quick Summary

Several major food companies are phasing out artificial dyes in their products, driven by consumer demand and regulatory changes. Manufacturers are replacing synthetic colors with natural sources like fruits, vegetables, and algae to meet evolving health and wellness trends. The transition affects a wide range of product categories, including snacks, cereals, and dairy items. This movement represents a significant shift toward cleaner ingredient lists and more transparent labeling.

Key Points

Major Brands are Pledging Change: Companies like PepsiCo, Hershey, and Walmart have publicly committed to removing artificial dyes from many of their products, driven by consumer demand and recent regulatory action.
Phased Transition is Common: Many companies are undergoing multi-year transition plans to reformulate products, with timelines extending to 2027 and 2028 for some brands.
Consumer Demand is a Key Driver: Rising consumer awareness of potential health risks and a preference for 'clean label' products are powerful motivations for the industry shift.
Regulatory Influence is Growing: Federal and state-level actions, including FDA initiatives to phase out certain dyes, have accelerated companies' voluntary transitions.
Natural Alternatives are Diverse: Companies are experimenting with natural sources like beet juice, paprika, turmeric, and algae to replicate the color of artificial dyes.
Technical Challenges Remain: Replicating the stability, vibrant color, and consistent performance of artificial dyes with natural ingredients is a significant hurdle for manufacturers.
Reformulated Doesn't Always Mean Healthy: It is important to remember that many products with natural dyes are still highly processed and should be consumed in moderation.

The Industry Pivot to Natural Ingredients

A pivotal moment for the food industry came in 2025 with the FDA's announcement of a plan to phase out specific petroleum-based synthetic dyes, accelerating an existing trend. The move came amidst growing pressure from consumer advocacy groups and state-level legislation targeting these additives. In response, a wave of food and beverage companies has voluntarily committed to removing certified color additives and reformulating their products with natural sources.

This shift is not merely a reaction to regulatory changes. It is a strategic move driven by evolving consumer preferences. A recent Nielsen survey highlighted that consumers are actively seeking healthier, more transparent products that align with their lifestyles. Brands are responding by investing in research and development to find stable, natural color alternatives derived from ingredients like beets, carrots, and algae.

Leading Companies and Their Timelines for Removing Artificial Dyes

Over the past year, numerous major corporations have announced concrete plans to phase out artificial dyes. While some have already completed the process for certain product lines, others are working on multi-year transition plans to ensure product quality and consumer acceptance. Information on specific company commitments and timelines is available {Link: on wisecode.ai https://wisecode.ai/insights/15-brands-who-have-committed-to-removing-artificial-colors-in-2025}.

The Technical Challenges of Natural Colors

Transitioning to natural colors presents challenges due to their sensitivity to heat, light, and pH, unlike the stability of artificial dyes. Cost is also a factor, as extracting natural pigments can be more expensive. Achieving vibrant and consistent colors requires experimentation with ingredients like paprika, turmeric, and purple sweet potato.

Artificial vs. Natural Dyes Comparison Table


Feature	Artificial Dyes	Natural Dyes
Source	Petroleum-based chemicals	Fruits, vegetables, plants, and microorganisms
Cost	Generally lower	Generally higher
Stability	Highly stable against heat, light, and pH	Can be sensitive to environmental factors
Color Intensity	Strong, vibrant, and consistent	Varies; sometimes less intense than synthetic
Shelf Life	Long	Potentially shorter shelf life for some applications
Consumer Perception	Negative; associated with health concerns	Positive; viewed as healthier and cleaner
Regulatory Status	FDA-approved, but facing increased scrutiny and bans	Generally exempt from batch certification; new additions continually being approved

Consumer Demand is the Driving Force

Consumer demand is the primary driver behind this shift, with social media amplifying calls for transparency and healthier options. Companies that don't adapt risk losing market share. However, removing artificial dyes doesn't make a product inherently healthy; many are still ultra-processed. Reading labels and prioritizing whole foods remains crucial.

Conclusion: The New Standard of Nutrition

Major food and beverage companies are removing artificial dyes in response to health concerns and consumer demand. Driven by regulations and public awareness, brands like PepsiCo, Hershey, and Walmart are setting deadlines for phasing out these additives. While challenges exist in using natural alternatives, the market is moving in that direction. This trend offers more transparency but highlights the ongoing importance of reading labels and focusing on whole foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2025, several major companies announced commitments to remove or phase out artificial dyes. These include PepsiCo, Hershey, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Tyson Foods, Walmart, and In-N-Out Burger, among others.

Companies are removing artificial food dyes primarily due to growing consumer demand for cleaner, more natural ingredients. This is fueled by increasing public awareness of potential health concerns, including links to hyperactivity in children and allergic reactions.

Many companies are focused on eliminating FD&C-certified petroleum-based synthetic dyes, such as Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Blue 2. The FDA also banned Red 3 in January 2025, adding to the push for reformulation.

To replace artificial dyes, companies are turning to natural alternatives derived from fruits, vegetables, and other natural sources. Common examples include using beets for red, turmeric for yellow, and algae for blue colors.

No, the removal of artificial dyes does not automatically make a food product healthy. Many reformulated products are still highly processed. It's best to read the full ingredient list and focus on a diet of whole foods.

No, not all food companies are removing artificial dyes. While there is a strong industry trend, some companies, like Mars (Skittles, M&M's), have historically been more resistant to eliminating them in the U.S. market.

Consumers are already seeing more dye-free options, with many companies implementing phased removal plans. For instance, PepsiCo began its transition for Lay's and Tostitos in 2025, and many others have set deadlines for 2026, 2027, and 2028.