Prominent food corporations Kraft Heinz and General Mills revealed their intention to eliminate artificial colors from their products on Tuesday, after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s initiative concerning synthetic dye pollution.
In April, RFK announced plans to phase out eight synthetic food dyes through strategic negotiations with various food companies, coupled with revoking the permits for Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B. Kraft Heinz and General Mills also made commitments to reduce or eliminate the use of artificial dyes. Currently, Heinz uses artificial dyes in 10% of its products, whereas General Mills claims 15% of theirs contain these dyes.
General Mills announced that it aims to remove artificial colors from its products made with US grains and for K-12 schools by summer 2026. The company positions itself as “a leading American provider of whole grain,” and the changes are expected to affect the daily lives of consumers across the country. “We recognize the trust families place in us, which is why we are leading the charge to eliminate certified colors in cereal and K-12 foods by next summer,” stated Jeff Hermen, CEO and chairman of General Mills.
In a similar vein, Kraft Heinz plans to eliminate all artificial coloring from its US products by the end of 2027, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and ethical practices while contributing to global health in a responsible manner.
Kennedy met with key companies in March to push for a complete removal of artificial dyes by the end of Trump’s presidency. ABC News reported that while details on how this will be implemented remain unclear, Kennedy feels encouraged by the compliance shown thus far. The commitments from Kraft Heinz and General Mills serve as significant examples. Kennedy also tweeted about Kraft Heinz’s cooperation, highlighting the administration’s effectiveness in influencing large corporations’ behavior.
Kennedy expressed his firm stance against artificial food dyes in April during a speech, stating, “Today, the FDA is taking action to eliminate oil-based food dyes from the US food supply and pharmaceuticals. For the past 50 years, American children have increasingly been subjected to toxic concoctions of synthetic chemicals.”
However, he faced some backlash. The International Manufacturers Association issued a statement expressing concern over RFK’s timeline: “Mandating a reformulation by the end of 2026 overlooks scientific evidence and underappreciates the complexities of food production. This process is neither straightforward nor immediate.” Nevertheless, many companies displayed a more cooperative attitude than those criticized by the IACM.
In response to Kennedy’s initiatives, the Consumer Brands Association, which represents manufacturers of packaged goods across the US, sent a memo to the Department of Health and Human Services in April supporting the managers’ plans. According to ABC News, CBA members include notable brands such as Nestlé, Campbell’s, and Coca-Cola. Melissa Hock Stad, in a statement on behalf of the CBA, mentioned, “Consumer brands have long urged HHS and FDA to reassert their roles as the country’s key regulators. We appreciate the administration’s reaffirmation of its leadership in response to vital national food regulation initiatives.”
Kennedy’s approach mainly involves direct collaboration with food companies. FDA Director Dr. Marty McCurry stated that the aim is to achieve policy goals through business engagement whenever feasible, without relying solely on legislative or regulatory measures. Reuters reported that to limit further use of dyes, the FDA approved the expanded use of two new natural colorants and the legal use of a third in early May. This provides companies with alternatives to artificial additives.
Secretary Kennedy plays a pivotal role in the inter-departmental efforts initiated by President Donald Trump through a commission aimed at “making America healthy again,” which was established shortly after Kennedy took office. He has consistently criticized the systemic ways in which Americans are exposed to health risks due to poor nutrition and overconsumption, arguing that removing artificial colors is a critical step toward improving the health of American children.
Source: thefederalist.com