JM Smucker is the newest food company to eliminate artificial colors from its well-known products.

JM Smucker Co. to Eliminate Artificial Dyes from Products

JM Smucker Co. has announced plans to remove FD&C artificial dyes from its products within the next two years, reflecting a broader initiative from the Trump administration aimed at reducing artificial colors in the food supply across the country.

The company’s commitment, revealed on Friday, will impact sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and select items from the Hostess brand. Additionally, Smucker will stop selling FD&C colored products to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year, in partnership with distribution affiliates.

The Smucker brand portfolio includes well-known products like Folgers, Dunkin’, Cafe Bustelo, JIF, and Hostess. Interestingly, the company noted that most of its consumer food items already lack FD&C colors, which is also true for many products currently available in schools.

Previously, Smucker had made moves to improve its offerings by removing high fructose corn syrup from its sandwich products and introducing fruit spreads made from all-natural ingredients alongside lower-sugar options.

“Our commitment to eliminating FD&C colors from sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and sweet baked goods reflects our ongoing desire to evolve and innovate in response to consumer expectations,” the company stated.

FD&C colors are artificially made dyes that have FDA approval for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics, regulated under the Federal Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Act.

Just last week, General Mills and Kraft Heinz made similar pledges to remove all artificial dyes from their U.S. product lines by the end of 2027.

During a conference call, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta indicated that efforts to eliminate artificial dyes were already underway. In contrast, McCormick’s recent analyst call included discussions without any substantial commitments announced.

Earlier this year, the FDA revealed plans to enhance its review process for food chemicals already in circulation, aiming to improve transparency regarding the safety of food ingredients.

Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously criticized some food producers, suggesting they had been using oil-based chemicals without consumer awareness or consent. He emphasized that these “toxic compounds” provide no nutritional benefits and could pose real risks to children’s health and development.

Kennedy and the FDA have outlined new measures to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the food supply. However, the cooperation of food manufacturers will be key; as Kennedy noted, “the industry has voluntarily agreed” to support these changes.

The FDA currently licenses seven certified color additives for food use, with most of these being approved as far back as 1931. Efforts are ongoing to eliminate FD&C Green No. 3, Yellow No. 5, and several others from the food supply by 2027.