The company said it removed or replaced synthetic dyes with alternative ingredients but said it will also maintain the company’s products' taste, appearance, and quality.
"Updated recipes are already arriving on shelves, and consumers can check product labels for more information," the company said.
“Consumers expect more choice, more transparency, and products they can feel good about,” said Marty Thompson, CEO of Nestlé USA. “We will keep evolving in ways that matter to them, while strengthening trust in our brands and offering high-quality food and beverages. Eliminating FD&C colors from our portfolio is one more way we continue to meet those expectations while delivering the quality people know and expect from Nestlé USA.”
Artificial food dyes are under increased scrutiny from federal health officials and consumer advocacy organizations due to links to behavioral issues in children and concerns about long-term health effects.
“Thank you, Nestle, for eliminating synthetic dyes from your products. Nestlé stepped up and delivered. Now it's time for every food company operating in America to do the same and help Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy said.
The effort targets six dyes commonly used in packaged foods: FD&C Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2. The goal is to remove them from products by the end of 2027. The FDA also revoked authorization for FD&C Red No. 3 earlier this year and moved to eliminate approvals for additional color additives, including Orange B and Citrus Red No. 2.
“Parents and doctors have concerns about petroleum-based food dyes, which have no nutritional benefit,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in announcing the initiative.
There are currently 20 major companies listed as "in progress" for making the change. Among them are General Mills, which has pledged to eliminate certified artificial colors from all U.S. cereals and K-12 school foods by summer 2026, and from its entire U.S. retail lineup by the end of 2027.
Kraft Heinz plans to phase out FD&C colors from Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, MiO, Jell-O, Jet-Puffed by the end of 2027. And Mars, Inc. plans to "product options without certified colors starting in 2026" for Extra, M&M's, SKITTLES Original, Starburst.
Meanwhile, several companies are listed as having completed their commitments for specific product-line removals in the FDA’s public tracking list.
- In-N-Out Burger has removed certified color additives from its Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade.
- Sam’s Club removed certified synthetic colors from its Member’s Mark food and beverage products.
- Tyson Foods has removed certified color additives from Tyson, Jimmy Dean, and Hillshire Farm items as of May 2025.
- PepsiCo has introduced new Cheetos and Doritos products made without artificial flavors or dyes, though changes to its Gatorade products are still in progress.
- PIM Brands completed the removal of artificial dyes from all of its Welch’s Fruit Snacks products.
- Target stopped selling cereal products containing certified synthetic colors, sold both in stores and online.