Nestlé USA said today (June 25) it has a timeline to eliminate FD&C colors in its U.S. food and beverage portfolio by mid-2026, the third major food company to commit to their removal with a deadline.
It was a brief announcement, focusing more on marketing spin of the wholesomeness of the company’s products and how Nestle listens to consumers. It didn’t mention any of the certified colors by name, the products they’re still in nor the timeline, other than by mid-2026. But it did note more than 90% of Nestlé USA's current portfolio does not include synthetic colors.
“Over the past decade, the company has been removing synthetic colors from its products and working to identify alternative solutions in recipes where they are still used. The work is scheduled to be completed within the next 12 months.”
Indeed, a scan of Nestle products – including brands DiGiorno, Libby’s, Outshine and Stouffer’s – didn’t turn up any with synthetic colors, just an occasional caramel color, annatto or fruit juice.
Conagra announced a three-step schedule to remove colors the same day as Nestle.
Although a small handful of companies in May said they were working on removing certified colors, Kraft Heinz apparently kicked things into high gear with its June 17 promise to replace colors before the end of 2027. General Mills announced the same day. Neither company was specific, but they apparently are talking about the seven petroleum-based colorants – Blue 1 & 2, Green 3, Red 3 & 40 and Yellow 5 & 6 – that FDA and Health & Human Services officials asked for removal in an April 22 press conference.
