Nestlé Is Making a Big Change to Its Products

Since the beginning of the year, the spotlight has been shining on the ingredients found in our foods—specifically synthetic food dyes. On Jan. 15, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced its plans to ban Red Dye No. 3. The food additive was determined to violate the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), which prohibits the use of any food additive that has been found to cause cancer in humans or animals. While Red Dye No. 3 has not been linked to any cancer cases in humans, two studies found that high levels of the additive caused cancer in male lab rats.

The FDA declared a deadline for companies to remove Red Dye No. 3 from all products by 2027 to 2028. Since the ruling, all eyes have been on the other six FD&C colors the FDA have deemed safe for food use.

In April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shared new steps the FDA was taking to remove all petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from all products in the U.S., including the remaining FD&C colors.

While not mandatory, the FDA is “requesting” companies remove Red Dye No. 3 from all products before the deadline, as well as “working with the industry” to ban 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 by the end of 2026. Some companies have been proactive in removing the dyes—like Sam’s Club, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills. Now, Nestlé is the latest company to announce its plans to remove all FD&C colors from its products.

Nestlé Announces Plans To Remove All FD&C Colors From Its Products

On June 25, Nestlé released a statement declaring plans to “fully eliminate FD&C colors in its U.S. food and beverage portfolio by mid-2026.” The company stated that it has been working to remove synthetic dyes and “identify alternative solutions” for over a decade, which has resulted in more than 90% of its products being free of FD&C color additives. Nestlé says it should be 100% synthetic dye-free within the next 12 months.

“As [customers’] diverse dietary preferences and nutritional needs evolve, we evolve with them,” said Marty Thompson, Nestlé USA’s CEO, in a press release.

Nestlé didn’t provide a list of the products that will be changing, but some of its products that still contain synthetic food dyes include select Nesquik milks and some Nestlé Toll House cookie doughs. Nestlé will replace the synthetic FD&C colors with naturally-derived colorants like turmeric, vegetable juice, and annatto extract—similar to what Aldi and Trader Joe’s have been using for years.

Thompson added that “Nestlé USA remains committed to providing consumers with affordable, high-quality food and beverages.”