US Ice Cream Makers to Ditch Artificial Dyes Amid Health Concerns
Following pressure from health officials, major US ice cream brands will phase out artificial dyes by 2027. The move comes amid growing concerns linking the chemicals to conditions like ADHD and cancer.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Major US ice cream makers announced on Monday they will phase out the use of artificial dyes from their products by the end of 2027, a move that comes amid pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and growing concerns over the chemicals' links to health problems.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), which represents over 40 top brands, confirmed its members would stop using petroleum-derived synthetic colorings. Health advocates have long argued that these chemicals, which serve no nutritional purpose, have been linked in studies to conditions including ADHD, cancer, and diabetes.
"I'm particularly happy to be here today because this is relevant to my favorite food, which is ice cream," Health Secretary Kennedy said at a press event, praising the industry's decision.
The IDFA's President and CEO, Michael Dykes, added, "This is a great day for dairy and it's a great day for Make America Healthy Again," referencing Kennedy's public health slogan.
The move is part of a broader trend, as Kennedy's strategy of applying "peer pressure" on the food industry appears to be yielding results. Major manufacturers like Nestle, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills have already pledged to ditch artificial dyes. Kennedy said Monday that "35 to 40 percent" of the food industry has now committed to the shift.
This approach contrasts with the final acts of the previous administration, under which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) moved to ban Red Dye No. 3 outright.
However, the ice cream makers' pledge gives them an extra year beyond Kennedy's original end-of-2026 target to adjust supply chains. Key holdouts in the wider food industry also remain, such as Mars, whose M&M's and Skittles still use the dyes. Similarly, Kellogg's Froot Loops cereal in the US contains artificial colors, even though the same product is sold dye-free in other countries like Canada.
To support the transition, the FDA under the current administration has been fast-tracking natural-dye alternatives, approving four in the last two months alone, including gardenia (genipin) blue on Monday.
Industry figures reveal that Americans consume about 19 pounds (8.6 kg) of ice cream annually. The popular frozen dessert generates approximately $12 billion for the economy and sustains over 27,000 jobs in the dairy sector.
