VEVEY, Switzerland: Nestle will remove artificial food colorings from all of its products worldwide by the end of 2026, becoming the first major global food company to commit to such a target as consumers increasingly demand healthier ingredients.

The previously unreported goal expands Nestle's efforts beyond the United States, where it has already eliminated artificial colorings across its product portfolio.

"By the end of the year we will have the global Nestle portfolio free of artificial colors," Stefan Palzer, Nestle's technology chief, told Reuters in an exclusive interview at the company's headquarters in Vevey.

The move comes as food manufacturers face growing pressure to offer healthier products amid the rapid rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and increasing consumer scrutiny of food ingredients.

Companies across the industry have been removing ingredients such as synthetic food dyes and sweeteners, including corn syrup, from their products as eating habits evolve.

Nestle has also been focusing more heavily on products aimed at weight-conscious consumers and people seeking less processed foods.

"It was not a slam-dunk," Palzer said of the decision, adding that Nestle had spent years investing in the transition.

"We had to do a lot of R&D work because you have to screen all the natural solutions, then you have to test those natural solutions during production, and then also test their shelf-life."

"We did it because consumers don't appreciate artificial ingredients. They want simpler recipes."

The announcement comes after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Food and Drug Administration said in April 2025 that the agency aims to remove ingredients, including artificial food colorings, citing concerns about possible links to conditions such as ADHD, obesity, and diabetes, although many scientists say more research is needed.