Hershey joins growing food industry push to remove synthetic dyes by 2027

The Hershey Company, the maker of Jolly Rancher, Reese’s and Twizzlers, has pledged to eliminate synthetic dyes from its snack products by the end of 2027, becoming the latest major food manufacturer to commit to cleaner formulations. The announcement, made on Tuesday, positions Hershey in line with growing regulatory and consumer pressure across the United States.

Hershey joins a growing list of food giants including Kellogg’s, Nestlé USA, Conagra, Tyson Foods, General Mills and Kraft Heinz, who are working to remove artificial additives as part of broader efforts to meet consumer expectations for transparency and wellness.

The move comes as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prepares to phase out petroleum-based dyes by the end of 2026. The agency stated in April it was “establishing a national standard and timeline” for the transition to natural colourants, citing concerns around ADHD, obesity and diabetes.

Hershey’s decision follows mounting calls from public health officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has urged the industry to voluntarily remove six synthetic dyes before the end of 2027.

At the state level, pressure is also intensifying. West Virginia has recently moved to ban the sale of products containing seven commonly used additives and colours, while Texas will require warning labels on products with synthetic dyes starting in 2027.

Following the announcement, a Hershey spokesperson said:

Removing these colours is a natural next step in our programme to ensure consumers have options to fit their lifestyle while maintaining trust and confidence in our products.”

Recent study findings

This latest shift comes on the heels of a study published last week revealing that 19 percent of all packaged foods and beverages in the US contain synthetic dyes. The rate rises to 28 percent in categories heavily marketed to children, such as breakfast cereals, soft drinks, confectionery, baked goods and ready meals.

Synthetic dyes, traditionally used to standardise product appearance and boost visual appeal, are increasingly under fire for their potential links to behavioural issues, particularly in children, including hyperactivity and attention disorders.

With regulatory pressure mounting and clean-label demand surging, this growing list of pledges signals a decisive shift in the future of American snacking and public health.