Conagra Brands is making a bold move to remove artificial colors from its U.S. frozen portfolio by the end of this year. This decision aligns with the trend in the food industry towards natural-based ingredients. The company, known for brands like Slim Jim and Healthy Choice, will also phase out synthetic dyes from its entire U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027. Furthermore, Conagra has committed to not selling products with synthetic colors to K-12 schools starting from the 2026-2027 school year.
This announcement places Conagra as the fourth major food company in a week to pledge the removal of artificial dyes, following General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and Nestlé. This comes at a time when the White House is advocating for the reduction of ultraprocessed foods and ingredients in the food supply chain.
Kraft Heinz’s recent commitment to eliminating synthetic dyes from its products may have sparked a chain reaction within the industry, prompting other companies to follow suit. Conagra has not disclosed the extent of artificial dyes in its current product lineup, but the aggressive timeline for its frozen portfolio indicates that the transition may already be well underway.
While the company aims to complete the removal of artificial dyes from its frozen products relatively quickly, the process for its retail portfolio, which includes brands like Snack Pack pudding, may take longer. Tom McGough, Conagra’s chief operating officer, emphasized that this shift is part of a broader strategy to modernize the company’s offerings in line with consumer preferences.
The decision to replace synthetic dyes is not just a strategic move by Conagra but also a response to government initiatives. The Trump administration has urged the food industry to voluntarily phase out six synthetic dyes by 2027, and companies like Conagra are taking proactive steps to comply with these guidelines. By prioritizing natural ingredients and responding to consumer demands, Conagra is positioning itself as a leader in the evolving landscape of the food industry.
