Name: Artificial food dyes under fire: A health win or pricey change?
Uploaded: 2025-11-12T00:39:00.363Z
Duration: 2 min 49 s
Description: The Make America Healthy Again initiative is driving a nationwide push to phase out petroleum-based artificial food dyes by 2026. Big brands pledge changes, but experts warn natural colors are costlier, less stable, and harder to source, potentially raising prices, especially for smaller producers.

The Make America Healthy Again initiative is driving a nationwide push to phase out petroleum-based artificial food dyes by 2026. Big brands pledge changes, but experts warn natural colors are costlier, less stable, and harder to source, potentially raising prices, especially for smaller producers.

Washington

Several major U.S. food companies, including Kraft, Walmart, and General Mills, are committing to remove artificial dyes from their products in response to new federal rules and consumer demand. Experts note that while natural alternatives are less stable and more costly, the switch could lead to higher prices for consumers, especially from smaller producers who face greater supply and cost challenges.

Health experts indicate that most artificial dyes pose little risk to the majority of people, though some research suggests possible links to hyperactivity in certain children. The timeline for a full industry transition by the end of 2026 is considered ambitious, and experts emphasize that in areas with limited access to fresh foods, prioritizing nutrient-dense options is more important than avoiding artificial dyes.

Artificial food dyes under fire: A health win or pricey change?

Skepticism of artificial dyes in our food is not new but new rules, calls from the federal government, and promises from food product companies have ignited a new shift towards natural alternatives. For American consumers already facing high grocery bills, the transition might wind up costing us more. Companies like Kraft, Walmart, and General Mills have already made promises pledging to remove artificial dyes from their food products. I think those large companies want to keep their customer happy and they think that this move is going to do that. Melissa Wright is a food safety specialist at Virginia Tech. She says replacing artificial dyes is not as simple as it sounds. Natural colors are less stable and more expensive to produce. But also I think they have to be aware that the customer is going to be unhappy when their product changes. A lesson General Mills, the maker of Trix cereal, learned in 2015. After removing artificial dyes, consumer pushback resulted in the company adding the synthetic colors back two years later. For the vast majority of people, there are no real concerns for many of these food dyes. But Michigan State's Jamie Allen says there are legitimate concerns about some artificial dyes. Some studies suggest they may cause hyperactivity in certain children. But there's a lot we don't know when it comes to the additives health impacts. One of the things we're unsure of is how much of that is due to the food dye versus a preservative like sodium benzoate. And then, of course, many of these foods that are brightly colored also have a lot of sugar. The transition comes with challenges. Larger companies have the resources to make the switch. They have enough money to buy these really limited quantities of natural ingredients. Smaller producers struggle with limited supply and higher costs. And so the smaller producers are gonna have to push a lot more of that price onto their customer. Chocolate chop ice cream in Madison, Wisconsin, has already shifted the majority of their colors to natural alternatives. CEO David Deadman says it could add up to 10 cents to each cone to move to natural. That's just gonna be the cost. And, you know, I have kids. It's definitely worth it. Both right and Allen agree the timeline for companies to fully transition by the end of 2026 is ambitious, particularly when it comes to the supply chain. You don't need to panic. Clean your pantries, though. Experts tell us looking at the role dies play in our overall health is important, but in areas with food deserts or restricted access to fresh foods, nutrient dense foods and stocking pantries should be the priority. Holly for First Scripps News Group.

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