Parent company of Duncan Hines, Slim Jim to eliminate artificial colors

RFK: 8 artificial dyes to be eliminated from food

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the banning of more than half a dozen synthetic food dyes is just the beginning as he works to confront America’s chronic health crisis. "We're going to do real science, and we're gonna do science precisely on the issues that American[s] care about. Making sure their kids are getting food that isn't poison. The food our kids are eating today is not really food. It's food-like substances," he said on "Jesse Watters Primetime." RFK Jr., alongside National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary, announced Tuesday in Washington, D.C., plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation's food supply.

LOS ANGELES - Conagra Brands is the latest major food manufacturer to announce a plan to remove artificial dyes from its products. The Chicago-based company, which owns household names like Slim Jim, Birds Eye, and Orville Redenbacher, said it will eliminate synthetic colors from its frozen food line by the end of this year and fully phase them out across all products by the end of 2027.

The move follows similar announcements from Nestle, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills, and comes amid growing pressure from federal regulators and health officials to remove synthetic food dyes from consumer products—especially those marketed to children.

Why is Conagra removing artificial dyes now?

The backstory:

Conagra’s decision aligns with a growing wave of voluntary action from food companies to eliminate artificial colors, a trend accelerated by regulatory scrutiny. Earlier this year, U.S. regulators banned the use of Red 3 in food products—a synthetic dye already banned in cosmetics—due to its potential link to cancer.

The FDA has since stated its intent to work with food companies to reduce or eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026, largely through voluntary efforts rather than sweeping mandates.

What we know:

Conagra said in its announcement Wednesday that it will:

• Remove artificial dyes from all frozen foods by the end of 2025
• Stop selling products with artificial colors to K-12 schools by the 2026–2027 school year
• Fully discontinue the use of synthetic dyes across its entire product portfolio by the end of 2027

Many of Conagra’s products already use natural coloring alternatives such as turmeric and annatto, especially in items like pickles, frozen vegetables, and popcorn. 

Boxes of Slim Jim snack sticks are displayed on store shelves. Parent company Conagra Brands says it will eliminate artificial dyes from its products, including Slim Jim, by the end of 2027.  (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

But some products—like Duncan Hines frosting and Swiss Miss pudding—still contain dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1.

What we don't know:

It’s unclear whether Conagra plans to reformulate or discontinue products that rely heavily on synthetic dyes, especially desserts or candies with vibrant coloring. The company also hasn’t indicated if it will make these changes globally or just in U.S. markets.

Which food brands are affected by Conagra’s decision?

By the numbers:

Conagra’s dye-removal plan affects a wide range of household brands, including:

• Marie Callender’s and Healthy Choice frozen meals
• Birds Eye vegetables
• Duncan Hines baking products
• Slim Jim snacks
• Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn
• Vlasic pickles
• Swiss Miss puddings and cocoa mixes

What's next:

With several major manufacturers now pledging to eliminate artificial dyes, the U.S. food industry could see widespread reformulations in the coming years. The FDA is expected to release additional guidance in 2026, and consumer advocacy groups continue to call for clearer labeling and stricter standards around synthetic additives.

If the trend continues, products traditionally filled with bright colors may soon get a more natural makeover—or disappear from shelves entirely if reformulation proves too difficult.