Dive Brief:
- General Mills announced plans to remove artificial flavors and artificial colors from all of its fruit-flavored snacks by the end of 2017 and to start to roll out new products in January 2016.
- The shift makes the company the first major manufacturer in the fruit-flavored snacks category to pledge to ending the use of artificial flavors and colors in all products, according to the company. More than 20% of the its fruit snacks, including Mott’s and Fiber One products, are already without artificial flavors or colors.
- General Mills said a survey found that more than 50% of consumers who eat fruit-flavored snacks said they would be more likely to purchase them if they contained no artificial flavors and colors. The company plans to use flavors and colors from fruits and vegetables juices and other natural sources.
Dive Insight:
"This is all about continuing to deliver what families want and meet the changing needs of consumers over time," according to Jacquie Klein, senior marketing manager of fruit flavored snacks.
This latest announcement is a continuation of the company moving away from artificial ingredients in response to consumer demand for more natural ingredients. In June, General Mills announced the removal of all artificial flavors and colors from its cereals during the next two to three years.