In a development that will be cheered by MAHA supporters, Nestlé has announced a big change as it is joining the fight against unhealthy food additives by pledging to remove artificial colors from its U.S. products by mid-2026.
See the tweet below!
This decision comes as an acknowledgment of customers’ growing health consciousness and desire for healthier, more transparent food options.
But with past promises left unfulfilled, many skeptics question whether Nestlé can finally deliver this time.
Nestlé plans to eliminate certain artificial food dyes, specifically FD&C colors, from its products by mid-2026.
This move is part of a broader industry response to fulfill consumer demand for more naturally composed products.
Despite the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considering most food dyes generally safe, the agency has specifically targeted Red dye No. 3 due to cancer risks.
Nestlé, owner of household brands like KitKat, Hot Pockets, and Häagen-Dazs, faces mounting pressure to meet rising consumer expectations.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been particularly vocal, highlighting health concerns, especially behavioral issues in children linked to artificial dyes.
Meanwhile, companies such as Kraft Heinz and General Mills have pledged to remove artificial dyes by the end of 2027.
“Consumers enjoy a wide variety of foods and beverages as part of their daily diet. They want choice and value shaped by a dynamic – and highly personal – combination of nutrition, quality, price, and convenience,” said Marty Thompson, CEO of Nestlé USA.
“Whether it’s an easy and nutritious family meal, an occasional snack, or a satisfying cup of coffee, we are always looking for different ways to offer great tasting, compelling choices for our consumers. As their diverse dietary preferences and nutritional needs evolve, we evolve with them,” he added.
While nearly 90% of Nestlé’s current product portfolio is already free of synthetic colors, the new commitment looks to corner the clean-label market by eliminating remaining artificial dyes.
However, skepticism exists, given past promises from companies to phase out synthetics often fell short, raising doubts about the impact of this new initiative.
The Cleveland Clinic has linked artificial dyes like Red 40 to serious health risks, including hyperactivity and cancer.
State legislatures in California, West Virginia, and Texas have begun enacting laws curtailing artificial dye usage.
Meanwhile, General Mills aims to be synthetic-dye-free in U.S. cereals and K-12 school foods by mid-2026.
“The FDA recently asked the food industry to voluntarily phase synthetic dyes out of the food supply, but many companies had previously made promises to stop using them and then failed to keep those promises,” commented Thomas Galligan from the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Glad to see more companies like @Nestle and @ConagraBrands taking action to remove artificial dyes from their foods. I urge other companies to step up and help us Make America Healthy Again. pic.twitter.com/Kko7MucnP6
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) June 25, 2025
The federal government increased scrutiny, banning Red dye No. 3 from the food supply earlier this year.
Public support for eliminating artificial dyes is overwhelming, with about two-thirds of Americans favoring restrictions.
As Nestlé gears up to meet these expectations, only time will tell if industry giants will genuinely clean up U.S. food labels or if the buzz will fizzle like previous initiatives.
