Consumer Brands Association Announces Voluntary Initiative to Remove Certified Artificial Colors in Food and Beverage Products from Schools

Arlington, Va. — July 11, 2025 — Today, the Consumer Brands Association is announcing a voluntary commitment to encourage the makers of America’s food and beverage products to remove certified Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colors from products served in schools nationwide by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with other global food safety authorities, has reaffirmed the safety of artificial colors. Food and beverage manufacturers also already meet the unique safety and nutrition standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Companies supporting this voluntary commitment will go above and beyond these federal requirements by eliminating the use of Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, and Yellow No. 6 from food and beverage products served in schools.

This announcement is a positive example of federal agencies and industry leading together. Consumer Brands will continue to work with the administration on what a larger nationwide phaseout could look like in order to avoid state patchworks, consumer confusion, and impacts to product access and affordability.

“While these safe ingredients are supported by scientific evidence and a longstanding history of approval by the FDA, the industry recognizes preferences are evolving and is innovating to meet families where they are,” said Melissa Hockstad, president & CEO of Consumer Brands. “Representing the makers of America’s trusted brands, an industry supporting more than 22 million American jobs, we will continue to work with the administration to achieve federal uniformity on these critical consumer safety and transparency issues.”

President Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary have made the removal of these FD&C colors a top priority. Food and beverage manufacturers will comply with state and federal laws, but in order for companies to take action on a voluntary commitment beyond schools, the FDA must prioritize increased access to natural color alternatives and ensure all natural ingredients follow a rigorous science and risk-based evaluation process, using research and data that is objective, peer-reviewed and relevant to human health and safety.

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ABOUT THE CONSUMER BRANDS ASSOCIATION

The Consumer Brands Association champions the industry that makes the products you choose and the brands you trust. From household and personal care to food and beverage products, the consumer packaged goods industry plays a vital role in powering the U.S. economy, contributing $2.5 trillion to U.S. GDP and supporting 22.3 million American jobs.