On Monday, the Trump administration has revealed plans to phase out all petroleum-derived artificial colorings from foods nationwide. According to a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary are scheduled to outline the plan during a Tuesday afternoon press conference.
Kennedy Pushes to Eliminate Artificial Coloring from Food Supply
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to remove artificial food dyes from the U.S. food supply, citing their potential link to behavioral issues in children, such as hyperactivity. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledges ongoing monitoring of this possible connection, it maintains that a definitive link has not yet been proven.
Currently, the FDA has approved 36 food colorings—nine of which are synthetic and derived from petroleum. The rest come from natural sources like vegetables. Among the synthetic dyes is Red No. 3, a petroleum-based additive used to create a cherry-red hue in food and beverages. Despite being approved back in 1907, Red No. 3 was officially banned in January due to concerns over its potential cancer risks. Food manufacturers are required to eliminate the dye by 2027, while pharmaceutical companies have until 2028 to comply.
These artificial dyes are found in thousands of products aimed at children, including candies, sodas, and breakfast cereals, where they’re used to create bright, eye-catching colors.
Major Food Companies React to Trump Administration’s Effort to Ban Artificial Coloring
Several food companies have responded to the Trump administration’s initiative to eliminate artificial food colorings. In March 2025, Kennedy met with major food manufacturers, including PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz, urging them to remove synthetic dyes from their products before the end of his tenure. Kennedy emphasized the need for “real and transformative” changes to improve public health and indicated that regulatory actions would follow if the industry did not proactively address the issue.
In response, PepsiCo stated its commitment to offering products with natural ingredients, no synthetic colors, and reduced levels of sugar, fat, and sodium. Kraft Heinz, however, did not provide a comment on the matter.
Additionally, WK Kellogg, known for cereals like Froot Loops, acknowledged that over 85% of its cereal sales come from products without artificial dyes. The company affirmed that its products comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
The Consumer Brands Association, representing companies such as PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz, expressed its intention to collaborate with the FDA to develop a federal framework on food dyes. This initiative aims to prevent a patchwork of state laws that could complicate compliance for global companies.
Despite the lack of a federal ban, more states are taking steps to remove artificial food colorings from the market. Kennedy previously commended West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey for signing a law that bans seven FDA-approved synthetic dyes. The legislation is set to take effect in 2028.
West Virginia’s move follows California’s lead, where lawmakers passed a bill last year prohibiting six artificial dyes from being used in food served at public schools. These state-level initiatives reflect a rising concern over the potential health risks associated with artificial colorings—especially those consumed by children.
Top Food Companies May Need to Reformulate Products as Artificial Coloring Ban Approaches
As the movement to ban artificial food dyes gains momentum, some major food brands may need to overhaul their products to comply with the new regulations. Companies that heavily rely on synthetic dyes in their products will face significant challenges.
Here are a few brands that could potentially be affected by the impending ban:
General Mills (e.g., Froot Loops, Lucky Charms)
Known for their brightly colored cereals, these brands are among the most likely to be impacted. General Mills has already started transitioning to natural alternatives in some of its products, but many of its most popular cereals still contain artificial dyes.
PepsiCo (e.g., Gatorade, Mountain Dew)
PepsiCo has already committed to offering more products with natural ingredients and no synthetic dyes, but some of its best-selling drinks still rely on artificial colors like Yellow 5 and Red 40. These products may need a more significant overhaul to meet future regulations.
Kraft Heinz (e.g., Mac & Cheese)
Kraft Heinz has been criticized for using artificial colors in some of its products, particularly the signature powdered cheese mix in Kraft Mac & Cheese. While there have been some changes in their recipes, a full overhaul may be necessary to remove all artificial dyes.
Nestlé (e.g., Nesquik, Smarties)
Nestlé uses artificial dyes in a range of products, from breakfast drinks like Nesquik to candy like Smarties. These brands may need to replace synthetic colorings with natural alternatives to comply with new legislation.
Mars, Inc. (e.g., M&M’s, Skittles)
Mars has long been known for its brightly colored candies. While some of its products have started using natural colorings, many of its popular treats still contain synthetic dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5. An overhaul may be required if these dyes are banned.
Experts Back Kennedy’s Push to Ban Artificial Coloring, Citing Health and Behavioral Risks
While the FDA has yet to confirm a definitive link between synthetic dyes and behavioral issues, Marion Nestle, professor emerita of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University, pointed to studies suggesting a possible connection in children.
One notable example is a 2021 report by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, which analyzed 27 trials and found evidence that artificial food dyes may negatively impact behavior in some children. Nestle emphasized that these dyes serve no nutritional or functional purpose beyond aesthetics and highlighted that many countries have already moved to restrict or ban them. In those regions, companies have adopted natural alternatives.
“This should have been done a long time ago,” Nestle said. “They’ve been promising to get rid of these things for years and balking. They’ve gotten rid of them in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. There’s no reason why we can’t use something else.”
Jerold Mande, an adjunct professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and former senior FDA adviser and deputy undersecretary for food safety at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), echoed those concerns. He argued that food dyes enhance the visual appeal of ultra-processed foods, encouraging overconsumption and contributing to obesity.
“Overweight is the primary food cause of cancer,” he said in an email to NBC News. “Thus, we must regulate the use of both synthetic and natural colors as well as flavors that allow food companies to transform powders and sludges into calorically dense, hyperpalatable ultra-processed ‘foods’ that are making us and our children sick.”
The FDA has been investigating the potential link between food dyes and behavior since the 1970s, when a California allergist and pediatrician first raised the concern. Despite renewed interest, the agency concluded in both 2011 and 2019 that no conclusive causal relationship had been established.