The American Bakers Association has launched a voluntary industry initiative to eliminate FD&C synthetic food dyes from baked goods supplied to schools across the United States. The pledge covers products served in kindergarten through 12th grade under national school breakfast, lunch, and competitive foods programmes, aiming for full compliance by the 2026-27 school year.
ABA data shows that 83% of member companies have already removed certified FD&C colours from school products. An additional 13% have committed to the pledge, leaving the industry on track for 96% of baked goods to be free of synthetic colours by 2026-27.
The US Food and Drug Administration is planning to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes nationwide by 2027. Affected dyes include Green No. 3, Red No. 3 and No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and No. 6, and Blue No. 1 and No. 2.
Several states, including California, West Virginia, Virginia, Utah, and Arizona, have introduced restrictions on artificial colours in school foods. The move aligns with similar voluntary efforts from other industry groups, such as the International Dairy Foods Association, which announced a commitment in April to remove certified artificial colours from dairy products served in schools.