Conagra Brands to Remove Artificial Colors from U.S. Frozen Portfolio
Conagra Brands has announced that it will be removing artificial colors from its U.S. frozen portfolio by the end of this year. This move aligns with the company’s commitment to transition to natural-based ingredients, joining other food industry leaders in this pledge.
The company, known for brands like Slim Jim and Healthy Choice, will also be phasing out synthetic dyes from its U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027. Additionally, Conagra has committed to not selling products with synthetic colors to K-12 schools starting from the 2026-2027 school year.
This decision by Conagra marks the fourth major food company in recent times to announce plans to eliminate artificial dyes from their products. General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and Nestlé have also taken similar steps in response to the growing demand for natural ingredients and healthier food options.
Transitioning Towards Natural Ingredients
Kraft Heinz’s recent commitment to removing synthetic dyes from its portfolio has set a precedent for other companies to follow suit. Conagra has not disclosed the exact percentage of its frozen or snack portfolio that still contains artificial dyes, but the timeline for the removal of dyes from its frozen lineup suggests that the company is nearing completion of this transition.
While the deadline for eliminating synthetic dyes from its retail portfolio is set for late 2027, some products like Snack Pack pudding may still contain these colorings. Conagra’s Chief Operating Officer, Tom McGough, emphasized that this move is part of the company’s strategy to modernize its portfolio in line with consumer preferences.
The push to replace synthetic dyes comes amidst calls from the Trump administration to remove these additives from the food supply. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has urged companies to voluntarily phase out six synthetic dyes by 2027, reflecting a broader industry shift towards cleaner and more natural ingredients.