PediatricDigest: Latest from Food Politics: The dairy industry promises to take color dyes out of ice cream (by 2028). And an update on the color situation.

By Marion Nestle

July 24 2025

The dairy industry promises to take color dyes out of ice cream (by 2028). And an update on the color situation.

USDA Secretary Rollins held a press conference with the dairy industry to announce the removal of artificial color dyes.

This is a voluntary, proactive pledge to eliminate the use of Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 from ice cream and other frozen dairy desserts by 2028. “I applaud the International Dairy Foods Association for stepping up to eliminate certified artificial colors,” Secretary Kennedy said. “The American people have made it clear—they want real food, not chemicals. Together with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, we’re holding the food industry accountable and driving a nationwide effort to Make America Healthy Again.”

In 2029, when the dyes are out of ice cream, ice cream will still be ice cream. Alas.

Here’s an update on what’s happening with artificial colors. But before getting to it, here’s the result of my research trip to England: Froot Loops with no artificial colors. Check out what they look like.

Iceland Food Warehouse, Oxford. Photo Jean Lavigne.

And now for the latest on the cancelling of artificial color additives.

Synthetic dyes are out. Here’s who’s in and how they’re achieving it: Major food companies like General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Conagra and Smucker are leading a sweeping shift away from synthetic colours. Here’s where the US food industry stands right now… Read more
FDA redraws the rainbow to dye another day: The storm over artificial dyes is clearing and the FDA is ushering in a brighter, cleaner food palette. With Red No 3 fading fast and new colours blooming, brands are now racing to catch the rainbow… Read more
FDA approves natural blue color, urges accelerated phaseout of synthetic red dye The White House asked companies to remove Red No. 3, an artificial color in candy and cereal, sooner than the 2027 deadline put in place by the Biden administration.
Texas AG targets Mars over continued use of artificial colours: Despite making a public commitment nearly a decade ago to phase out artificial colours, the M&M’s and Skittles maker is in hot water over its continued use of synthetic dyes in the US… Read more

I think it’s great that these dyes wildl be gone eventually, but removing them is not going to Make America Healthy Again. Ultra-processed cereals will still be ultra-processed. Candy will still be candy.

This may be a win, but it’s a distraction from the irrepable damage the Trump administration is doing to our health, education, and healthcare systems.

For analyses of the tension between MAGA and MAHA, see:

CSPI’s comparison of what they say to what they do, in Civil Eats.
Gary Schwitzer’s comparison of what RFK Jr says to what he does in Health News Reports

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