WK Kellogg accelerates artificial dye removal

WK Kellogg Co announced on August 6, 2026 that it will remove artificial colors from all its cereals by the end of 2026, a year ahead of its previously announced schedule of end-2027. The company identified fruit- and vegetable-based juices to replace synthetic dyes in products like Froot Loops and Apple Jacks, and invested in equipment to transition to natural colors. It also said it will remove BHT, an artificial preservative, from the few cereals that still contain it. The move follows years of pressure from consumer groups, retailers, and regulators. In 2024, activists delivered petitions with 400,000 signatures to Kellogg's headquarters. Under the Trump administration, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged food companies to phase out petroleum-based dyes, and Kellogg signed an agreement with United States — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in August 2025 to remove toxic dyes by end-2027. Retailers Target and Walmart have also announced plans to eliminate artificial colors from their products. The company was acquired by Italian food group Ferrero in July 2025. Competitor Kraft Heinz has committed to removing chemical dyes by end-2027. The FDA has allowed voluntary labeling claims about the absence of certified colors. This announcement reflects a broader industry shift toward natural ingredients.