JM Smucker becomes latest food manufacturer to remove artificial colors from popular brands
The J.M.Smucker Co. joined a growing list of food giants that are pledging to eliminate FD&C artificial dyes from its products within the next two years, aligning with the Trump administration’s goals of removing artificial colors from the nation’s food supply.Smucker’s said this commitment, announced Friday, will affect its sugar-free fruit spreads and ice cream toppings as well as certain products from its Hostess brand portfolio.
The company also said it’s working with its distribution partners to no longer sell products with FD&C colors to K-12 schools by the 2026 – 2027 school year.Smucker’s, whose family of brands includes Folgers, Dunkin’, Café Bustelo, Jif, Uncrustables, Smucker’s and Hostess, said most of its consumer foods are already free of FD&C colors, including a majority of its products currently available to K-12 schools.The company has 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.“Our commitment to remove FD&C colors from our sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and sweet baked goods products represents the latest example of our desire to evolve and our ability to continue to innovate to deliver on the expectations of our consumers,” J.M.Smucker CEO Mark Smucker said. The artifical dyes are known as FD&C colors and labeled as such on packages because the color additive is approved by the FDA for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics.
They are subject to a strict system of approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).Last week, General Mills and Kraft Heinz issued their own commitments to remove all artificial dyes from their respective U.S.portfolios by the end of 2027.PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said during an April 24 conference call that the company will reduce artificial ingredients and has already begun doing so, while McCormick, w...