General Mills announced that it is working to remove artificial dyes from its cereals, as well as products distributed in schools. The colors are set to be removed by summer 2026, while colors across its full U.S. retail collection are to be removed by the end of 2027.
Many of the products in K-12 schools are currently made without colors, the company noted, adding that nearly 85% of its U.S. retail portfolio is made without certified colors.
“Across the long arc of our history, General Mills has moved quickly to meet evolving consumer needs, and reformulating our product portfolio to remove certified colors is yet another example,” said General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening. “Today, the vast majority of our foods are made without certified colors and we’re working to ensure that will soon apply to our full portfolio. Knowing the trust families place in us, we are leading the way on removing certified colors in cereals and K-12 foods by next summer. We’re committed to continuing to make food that tastes great and is accessible to all.”
The announcement comes as Kraft Heinz also declared it will no longer launch products using artificial dyes in the United States.
“Our iconic Heinz Tomato Ketchup has never had artificial dyes – the red color comes simply from the world’s best tomatoes,” North America President at Kraft Heinz Pedro Navio said. “Above all, we are focused on providing nutritious, affordable, and great-tasting food for Americans and this is a privilege we don’t take lightly.”
