EXCLUSIVE: Americans Can Now See If Companies Are Actually Making Good On Food Dye Pledge
Families concerned about color additives in school lunches, at grocery stores and at fast-food counters can now reference a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website that tracks the actions of companies that have…
Families concerned about color additives in school lunches, at grocery stores and at fast-food counters can now reference a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website that tracks the actions of companies that have pledged to phase them out, the Daily Caller News Foundation has learned.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced in April its push to eliminate six petroleum-based food dyes, or certified color additives, from the food supply, by the end of 2026.
A new “Natural Dye Pledge” website tracks progress by food manufacturers, retailers and trade associations to eliminate the six color additives: FD&C Green No. 3; FD&C Red No. 40; FD&C Yellow No. 5; FD&C Yellow No. 6; FD&C Blue No. 1; and FD&C Blue No. 2
Companies with pledges to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients include the manufacturers of some of the most recognizable brands in American grocery stores, including Mars, Inc.; McCormick & Company, Inc.; Nestlé S. A; Pepsi Co. Inc.; The Hershey Company; and The Kraft Heinz Company.
The tracker describes In-N-Out Burger’s goal to eliminate food dyes from strawberry shakes and lemonade as “complete.” It also describes other pledges — such as a pledge by Mars, Inc. to offer non-color additive versions of M&M’s and Skittles by 2026 — as “in progress.”
“Parents and doctors have concerns about petroleum-based food dyes, which have no nutritional benefit,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary in a statement. “Given the epidemic we face of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression and ADHD, it’s common sense to work together to remove these chemicals as part of our broader effort to work to improve children’s healthy eating patterns.”