A jar of Smucker’s preserves is displayed on Aug. 16, 2010, in Philadelphia.
Matt Rourke/AP
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Matt Rourke/AP
J.M. Smucker Co. has announced plans to remove artificial colors from its products by the end of 2027.
The company, based in Orrville, Ohio, will also eliminate synthetic dyes from foods sold to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year.
Smucker noted that most of its products, including Uncrustables sandwiches, are already free of synthetic dyes. However, some products such as sugar-free jams and ice cream toppings still contain them.
Additionally, products from Hostess, acquired by Smucker in 2023, also contain artificial colors. For example, Twinkies contain Red 40 and Yellow 5, while Snoballs snack cakes contain Red 40 Lake, a dye combined with aluminum.
Smucker is among several major food companies that have committed to removing artificial dyes from their products. Nestle, Conagra Brands, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills have all made similar pledges recently.
The federal government has increased its scrutiny of artificial colors in recent months. In January, the U.S. regulators banned Red 3 from the nation’s food supply, after being prohibited from cosmetics due to cancer risk.
In April, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced plans to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026 with the cooperation of the food industry.
