Some of America’s most familiar snacks, cereals and drinks could soon look a little different.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working to phase out certain petroleum-based artificial food dyes as part of a broader effort to change how foods sold across the country are made.
The dyes are commonly used to give candy, breakfast cereals, sports drinks and other packaged foods their bright colors. The changes are pushing manufacturers to explore alternatives, including colors made from fruits, vegetables and other natural sources.
But there’s an important distinction: the government has not banned every artificial food dye, and not every company is required to remove them immediately.
The FDA’s goal is to phase out six commonly used synthetic dyes, including Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6, by the end of 2027. The agency also previously revoked approval for Red No. 3, with the ban taking effect in most foods in January 2027.
Major companies are already responding. General Mills has committed to removing certified artificial colors from its U.S. cereals and school foods, while Kraft Heinz plans to remove them from products such as Kool-Aid, Jell-O and Crystal Light by the end of 2027. PepsiCo is also changing selected Gatorade products and introducing dye-free snack options.
For shoppers, that means some familiar products may eventually have different colors or updated ingredient labels, even if the flavors remain recognizable.
