Smucker’s Bold Move to Remove Synthetic Food Dyes by 2027
The iconic J.M. Smucker Co. is jumping squarely on the bandwagon of big food companies pledging to kick synthetic dyes out of their products by 2027. This sweeping reform will affect many beloved items including their famous jams, sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and popular Hostess desserts like Twinkies. The Ohio-based company, known for decades of staple American foods, is finally bowing to pressure – from consumer groups, health advocates, and federal regulators – to clean up their ingredient lists. This move promises a cleaner label and a healthier choice for families nationwide.
CEO Mark Smucker emphasized that evolving with consumer expectations has always been part of the company’s DNA, recalling past changes like removing high-fructose corn syrup from Uncrustables in 2017.
J.M. Smucker’s announcement follows major industry peers including Nestlé USA, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and Conagra Brands, all of which have committed to ditching synthetic dyes by the end of 2027.According to Food Business News, Smucker’s will eliminate synthetic FD&C colors – a class of dyes commonly derived from petroleum products – from their consumer food portfolio in the coming years. While the company says the taste won’t be affected, many customers will notice changes in the vibrant colors they’re accustomed to
These changes also extend to K-12 school products, where Smucker’s has already been reducing synthetic dyes, aiming to have zero products containing those artificial colors in schools by the 2026-2027 academic year. This taps into the growing federal and state scrutiny of synthetic dyes in children’s diets, which has sparked heated debates about food safety and nutritional value.
Detailed Impact on Smucker’s Products and Industry-Wide Trends
J.M. Smucker Co. isn’t alone in wrestling with synthetic dye controversies; the entire food sector is feeling the heat. Hershey, another manufacturing giant, announced a similar commitment to removing synthetic dyes by the end of 2027, affecting household snacks like Good & Plenty, Twizzlers, Bubble Yum, and Jolly Rancher candies.Food Business News reports Hershey is motivated partly by the maze of varying state legislation regulating food dyes, which creates challenges for nationwide distribution.
The complications of state-by-state food dye rules have pressed these companies toward national reformulations that avoid the artificial hues altogether.
Smucker’s specific plan includes eliminating FD&C dyes from sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and several items under the Hostess brand umbrella-affecting popular sweets that American families have loved for decades. Consumers should expect a leaner ingredient label and a cleaner list of additives by 2027, aligning with federal efforts spearheaded by the FDA’s announcement to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply by the end of 2026.This FDA move pushes the food industry towards natural alternatives, though challenges remain in matching the vibrant colors synthetic dyes once provided.
These vibrant dyes have no nutritional value, serving mainly to make food items visually appealing. Thomas Galligan from the Center for Science in the Public Interest has pointed out that while these colors may catch eyes, they do nothing to improve health and may pose risks for sensitive individuals.
The Fight Over Food Coloring and Its Future in America
This shift away from synthetic dyes is part of a growing national movement. Synthetic food dyes have long been entrenched in American food culture, coloring everything from hot dog buns to taco shells.A recent Time study showed that about 20% of packaged foods and beverages still contain these artificial colors. Concerns about these dyes have grown in recent years, linking them not only to hyperactivity in children but also to more serious potential health issues like cancer, fueling calls for reform.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal advocate running the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) campaign, pushing for state initiatives and national policies aimed at ridding the American diet of synthetic dyes.
Smucker’s change comes amid a wave of corporate commitments triggered by the FDA and government pressure. Companies like Nestlé claim upwards of 90% of their products are now dye-free, with others like Hershey and Kraft Heinz racing to catch up.Reuters reports over 40 major U.S. ice cream producers covering 90% of the market plan to eliminate artificial dyes by 2028.
Natural alternatives are beginning to emerge. Companies like Sensient Technologies are developing natural color sources from carrots, algae, and beet juice, substituting the synthetic additives and reducing dependence on petroleum-based chemicals.As Associated Press detailed, these innovations are necessary to meet consumer demand for cleaner labels while maintaining product appeal.
However, this transition isn’t without challenges. Color vibrancy, manufacturing costs, and supply chain adjustments all factor into the reformulation process. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton even launched an investigation into Mars Inc. over alleged delays in removing synthetic dyes, highlighting the ongoing tension between regulatory efforts and corporate resistance.According to Reuters, this legal scrutiny emphasizes the growing accountability food manufacturers face.
The removal of artificial dyes reflects an era of change led by conservative support for safer, cleaner food choices coupled with responsibility from American businesses. The industry-wide transformation into natural-color products serves the public interest and respects consumer demands for transparency and health.
