Artificial food dyes like Red 3 are on their way out, and that’s creating big challenges for U.S. food companies. Health officials and consumers are pushing for natural alternatives, citing possible health risks linked to synthetic colors, especially for children. Federal agencies want artificial dyes removed from the food supply by the end of 2026, and while major brands like PepsiCo and General Mills are responding quickly, making the change isn’t easy. Natural dyes are more expensive, harder to produce, and less reliable in food processing. One company executive explained, “There’s not 150 million pounds of beet juice just sitting around.”
Replacing synthetic colors requires time, money, and creativity. It can take up to a year to switch a single product and several years to build enough supply of natural ingredients. Natural colors like beta-carotene, black carrot juice, and even cochineal insects (which produce bright reds) are being tested in labs and mixed into sports drinks, cereals, and salad dressings. But these colors aren’t as consistent or stable as synthetic ones, which makes them harder to use at scale. Natural blue, for example, is especially difficult to source and process. And because these alternatives cost about ten times more to produce, the price of switching is high.
Even when companies do make the switch, the results don’t always go over well. In 2016, General Mills took artificial colors out of Trix cereal, but when the cereal lost its neon colors, customers complained and the company reversed the decision. That shows how powerful brand identity can be and how hard it is to change products people already love. Food companies now face a difficult balancing act: meet public health goals without losing customer loyalty. In the race to remove artificial dyes, companies must weigh science, supply chains, and what customers are willing to accept.
Questions:
- What are some reasons why it is so difficult for companies to make the switch from artificial food dyes to natural ingredients?
- Do you think small businesses have an easier time sourcing natural ingredients compared to big firms? Why or why not?
Source: Jonel Aleccia, “How Bugs and Beet Juice Could Play Roles in the Race To Replace Artificial Dyes in Food,” Associated Press, April 28, 2025.