US Ice Cream Producers Set to Phase Out Artificial Dyes by 2028.

US ice cream producers to phase out artificial food dyes by 2028. General Mills, Inc., a world leader in food groups, proposes a range of products under brands such as Cheerios, Pillsbury, and Häagen-Dazs. The company's activity is organized around consumer distribution and catering/bakery sales, with the US accounting for 80.9% of net sales.

U.S. ice cream makers are planning to eliminate several artificial food colors from their products by 2028, a significant step driven by Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s initiative to remove artificial additives from food. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) reports that 40 producers, collectively responsible for over 90% of the ice cream sold in the U.S. by volume, have pledged to remove Red No. 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 by the end of 2027 [3].

This voluntary commitment comes as part of Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative, which aims to replace these petroleum-based food dyes with natural alternatives by 2026. Companies such as General Mills, Inc., Unilever, and Nestlé have been proactive in this effort. General Mills, for instance, has already removed artificial flavors and colors from its cereals by the end of 2017 [2].

The latest ice cream pledge applies to products made with real milk and sold at supermarkets, convenience stores, and online retailers. It does not extend to products made with non-dairy ingredients, small ice cream shops, or restaurants making their own ice cream. Many companies are already eliminating these synthetic colors or may phase them out before 2028 [3].

The market response to this news has been varied. General Mills' shares fell by 1.3% in midday trading on Monday, while Kroger's stock saw a 1.7% increase. Retail sentiment on General Mills remained unchanged within the 'bearish' territory, while chatter was 'neutral' [1]. Kroger's stock sentiment remained 'bearish' with 'extremely low' chatter [1].

This move aligns with broader industry trends. Welch's Fruit Snacks, for example, will cut synthetic dyes from its full product line by early 2026, using natural colors exclusively. The company began this transition in 2015 and has not used synthetic dyes in new products since 2018 [4].

The FDA's recent approval of gardenia for food coloring also supports this shift towards natural ingredients. The FDA has asked manufacturers to speed the removal of Red No. 3 since April [3].

The impact of these changes on the financial performance of ice cream and related companies remains to be seen. However, the trend towards cleaner, more natural ingredients is likely to continue, driven by consumer preferences and regulatory pressures.

References:
[1] https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/us-ice-cream-makers-to-remove-artificial-colors-by-2028/ch89cvTR5n5
[2] https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/ingredients/news/13162630/75-of-general-mills-cereals-now-free-of-artificial-flavors-and-colors-from-artificial-sources
[3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-14/ice-cream-makers-pledge-to-remove-artificial-colors-by-2028
[4] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-14/welch-s-fruit-snacks-to-cut-synthetic-dyes-beginning-in-2026