US ice cream firms to phase out food dyes under new plan

Anabelle Colaco
18 Jul 2025, 09:07 GMT+10

A large majority of U.S. ice cream manufacturers plan to eliminate artificial food dyes from their products by 2028, the International Dairy Foods Association announced
The move comes as part of a voluntary effort by 40 ice cream companies representing more than 90 percent of U.S. retail sales, according to the IDFA
The industry will phase out seven commonly used synthetic dyes — Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 — from ice cream products

WASHINGTON, D.C.: A large majority of U.S. ice cream manufacturers plan to eliminate artificial food dyes from their products by 2028, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced, marking the latest shift in the food industry amid growing scrutiny of synthetic additives.

The move comes as part of a voluntary effort by 40 ice cream companies representing more than 90 percent of U.S. retail sales, according to the IDFA. The industry will phase out seven commonly used synthetic dyes — Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 — from ice cream products. The change will not apply to non-dairy items.

The IDFA plans to formally unveil the initiative at an event at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Kennedy has linked synthetic dyes to rising rates of ADHD and cancer, though experts say more research is needed. Still, pressure is mounting across states, with West Virginia recently banning several food dyes, and multiple states moving to restrict synthetic coloring in school meals.

Several major food companies, including cereal and candy producers, have already committed to similar steps.

While the IDFA maintains that artificial dyes are safe, it acknowledged that the changes aim to preempt regulatory disruptions and respond to evolving consumer expectations.