J.M. Smucker is making a big change. The company announced plans to remove artificial colors from its food products by the end of 2027. They’re following a trend among many food brands, like General Mills and Kraft Heinz, who are also committing to use natural colors instead.
Most of Smucker’s foods are already free from synthetic dyes. However, this change will affect some popular items like their sugar-free fruit spreads and certain ice cream toppings.
This move gains momentum after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged the food industry in April to eliminate six synthetic dyes within the same timeframe. Initially, many brands didn’t respond. Now, with competitors making similar commitments, there’s a rush to adapt and keep up with consumer expectations.
Mark Smucker, the company’s CEO, expressed the importance of meeting customer needs. He highlighted their previous efforts, like removing high-fructose corn syrup from Uncrustables and introducing more natural fruit spreads. In line with this commitment, Smucker’s products for K-12 schools already mostly lack artificial colors. They aim to ensure that no products with these dyes will be sold in schools by the 2026-2027 school year.
Interestingly, a recent survey reveals that nearly 70% of consumers prefer products without artificial ingredients, indicating a significant shift in buying habits. As more companies respond to this demand, it seems we’re witnessing a transformation in the food industry.
For further details and updates, you can visit Smucker’s official announcement here.