US ice cream makers say they’ll stop using artificial dyes by 2028

Ice cream makers representing about of the U S supply of the frozen treat have pledged to remove artificial dyes from their products in less than three years federal wellbeing representatives announced Monday The move is the latest voluntary effort by food manufacturers to heed calls from the Trump administration to remove synthetic dyes over concerns about prospective fitness effects In current weeks companies including Nestle Kraft Heinz and General Mills commented they would pull artificial colors from their foods too This is a Renaissance moment for medical in America U S Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary explained at a news conference About makers of ice cream and frozen dairy desserts explained they would remove seven petroleum-based dyes from their products by according to Michael Dykes president of the International Dairy Foods Association The colors are Red Red Green Blue Blue Yellow and Yellow The contract group wouldn t identify the firms although Turkey Hill Dairy chief executive Andy Jacobs joined the gathering The national focus on artificial food dyes is a good step to take but representatives should not ignore larger known contributors to chronic condition including the added sugars and saturated fat commonly identified in ice cream revealed Deanna Hoelscher a University of Texas nutrition expert Just taking out or changing the food dye source is not necessarily going to make it a healthy option she noted It still is a food that should be consumed in moderation However Makary also hinted that new federal dietary guidelines expected later this year would challenge established links between saturated fat and heart disorder ending what he called a -year demonization of natural saturated fat The average American eats about gallons of ice cream a year the IDFA noted Physical condition advocates have long called for the removal of artificial dyes from foods citing mixed studies showing that they may cause specific neurobehavioral problems such as hyperactivity and attention problems in various children The Food and Drug Administration has maintained that approved dyes are safe and that the greater part children have no adverse effects when consuming foods made with them Wellbeing Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has criticized the dyes and pressured manufacturers to remove them from foods In their place manufacturers should use dyes made from fruit juices plant extracts and other sources federal executives revealed The FDA has approved new natural color additives in latest months including a new blue color made from the fruit of the gardenia disclosed Monday Gardenia genipin blue is approved for use in sports drinks candies and certain other products the agency noted Makary also sent a letter to food manufacturers on Monday that encourages them to speed up removal of the dye known as Red which was banned in January Food makers have until to remove the dye which was determined to cause cancer in laboratory rats but not humans Various food companies have reported they will stop using artificial dyes but relying on voluntary action rather than regulatory requirements won t guarantee compliance announced Thomas Galligan a scientist with the Center for Science in the Population Interest a consumer advocacy group Talk is cheap Galligan commented It s easy for companies to make promises to look like they re being compliant and generate goodwill among consumers and the Trump administration but it remains to be seen if they will literally follow through