Dive Brief:
- J.M. Smucker joined several of its competitors by announcing it would remove artificial colors from its consumer food products by the end of 2027.
- The Uncrustables and Twinkie maker said that while the majority of its foods are already free of synthetic dyes, the change will impact its sugar-free fruit spreads and ice cream toppings as well as certain products from its Hostess portfolio.
- Smucker joins a rapidly growing list of food companies that have committed to transitioning their portfolios to using natural colors. During the last week, Conagra Brands, General Mills, Kraft Heinz and Nestlé announced plans to end their use of artificial dyes.
Dive Insight:
After Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged the industry in April to voluntarily remove six synthetic dyes by 2027, most food manufacturers were largely silent. But there is now growing momentum as companies race to ensure they’re not left behind their competitors.
“This work is ongoing, and we are consistently evaluating consumer behavior to ensure we are addressing any notable changes while maintaining our commitment to offer choice,” Mark Smucker, the company’s CEO, said in a statement. This “represents the latest example of our desire to evolve and our ability to continue to innovate to deliver on the expectations of our consumers.”
Smucker noted it previously removed high-fructose corn syrup from its Uncrustables sandwiches and introduced fruit spreads featuring ingredients from all-natural sources as well as reduced sugar options.
The Ohio-based company added that a majority of its products currently available to K-12 schools do not contain any artificial colors. Smucker is also working with its distribution partners to no longer sell products with these ingredients by the 2026/2027 school year.
