40 U.S. Ice Cream Makers Pledge to Eliminate Colors by End of 2027

The International Dairy Foods Assn. (IDFA) on July 14 announced an agreement by 40 makers of ice cream in the U.S. to eliminate certified artificial colors from products by Dec. 31, 2027. While they were not named, the association said they represent “more than 90% of the ice cream volume sold in the United States.”

Not to be outdone, the Consumer Brands Assn. on July 11 quietly had announced a vague voluntary commitment to “encourage” processors to remove the disputed colors from products served in schools nationwide by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The IDFA announcement said, “With this effort, dozens of U.S. ice cream companies are pledging to eliminate the use of certified artificial colors Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 from their ice cream and frozen dairy desserts by 2028.

“As national and state policies on artificial colors in food continue to change, ice cream … many commercial ice cream makers have already phased out certified artificial colors and many others are working with suppliers to phase them out by 2028 in compliance with this effort and other business considerations.”

Leaders from IDFA joined Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, and others at the USDA headquarters in Washington to announce the commitment, just ahead of National Ice Cream Day, July 20.

Immediately, praise poured in from federal officials. “I appreciate IDFA members for spearheading this new initiative and finding ways to promote President Trump's Make America Healthy Again agenda. Each one of these endeavors helps families make better choices and pursue healthier lives,” said USDA Secretary Rollins.

HHS Secretary Kennedy also thanked them, adding, “The American people have made it clear—they want real food, without chemicals. Together, we will Make America Healthy Again.” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary also was quoted in an HHS news release.

Although the ice cream companies were not named – “We expect many companies will take advantage of this effort to announce changes to their products that are in line with the IDFA Ice Cream Commitment,” said a spokesperson – Andy Jacobs, CEO of Turkey Hill Dairy and chair of the IDFA Ice Cream Segment Board, was quoted in the announcement.

The IDFA commitment applies to products “made with real milk”. “This initiative does not apply to products made with non-dairy ingredients or those made in-house by small ice cream shops or restaurants (i.e., food service),” it said. In addition to products intended for traditional stores, it apparently does include sales to restaurants, ice cream parlors and scoop shops.

In addition to the FDA’s April 22 “request” for the removal of the seven synthetic colors, the IDFA commitment acknowledged legislation passed or pending in several states.

Consumer Brands Assn. posted a statement on July 11 announcing a “voluntary commitment to encourage the makers of America’s food and beverage products to remove certified Food, Drug & Cosmetic colors from products served in schools nationwide by the start of the 2026-2027 school year."

A spokesperson for the association elaborated, "We are encouraging and supporting our members in the removal of certified FD&C colors from products served in schools nationwide by the start of the 2026-2027 school year and have received strong member support in doing so."

“Consumer Brands will continue to work with the administration on what a larger nationwide phaseout could look like in order to avoid state patchworks, consumer confusion, and impacts to product access and affordability,” the original statement said.

We are encouraging and supporting our members in the removal of certified FD&C colors from products served in schools nationwide by the start of the 2026-2027 school year and have received strong member support in doing so.

PHOTO AT TOP: HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins raise an ice cream toast to the IDFA initiative. In the background (left to right) are Michael Dykes, president/CEO of International Dairy Foods Assn.; Marty Makary, FDA commissioner (back to camera); and Andy Jacobs, CEO of Turkey Hill Dairy.