In a landmark move for the food industry, leading U.S. ice cream manufacturers—including Turkey Hill Dairy—have pledged to phase out artificial colors from their products by 2028. The initiative, coordinated by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), marks the first time an entire sector has unified to eliminate synthetic dyes across its offerings.
The commitment covers more than 90% of the commercial ice cream volume sold in the U.S., including packaged products in grocery stores and those supplied to ice cream parlors by major brands. However, it excludes non-dairy variants and ice cream made on-site at small shops.
“From small independent companies to large multinational corporations, this is a true industry-wide collaboration,” said Andy Jacobs, Chair of the IDFA Ice Cream Segment Board and CEO of Turkey Hill Dairy. “We’re taking a unified step toward cleaner labels and consumer trust.”
The IDFA noted that many brands have already begun removing certified artificial dyes from their products. For those still in transition, the association is forming a working group with ingredient suppliers and dairy companies to ensure a steady pipeline of natural alternatives.
This initiative comes amid growing pressure from both consumers and state-level regulations. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still classifies artificial colors as safe, states like West Virginia have implemented bans on synthetic dyes in school and retail foods under the “Make America Healthy Again Movement.”
Earlier this year, U.S. dairy producers also committed to removing artificial dyes from milk, cheese, and yogurt products sold to schools by July 2026. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has encouraged the food industry to voluntarily eliminate artificial colors by the end of 2026—though industry leaders say that timeline is challenging.
Major food companies such as Kraft Heinz, Hershey, and J.M. Smucker have already pledged to remove synthetic dyes by 2027. Nestlé has gone further, aiming for a mid-2026 deadline.
As pressure mounts from regulators, parents, and health advocates, the U.S. ice cream industry’s collective decision sets a powerful precedent for other food categories to follow.