Hershey's Is Making a Big Change to Its Products
But in April, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. started putting the pressure on to do more, asking companies to stop using the dyes Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellows No. 5 and 6, and Blues No. 1 and 2, all while noting that he also hopes to officially remove Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B from shelves soon.
Now, food makers are beginning to take aggressive action. For example, Kraft Heinz has resolved to remove all synthetic colors from its products by 2027. That includes brands known for their fun hues like Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Jet-Puffed, and Crystal Light. Others that have recently jumped on the bandwagon include giants Conagra Foods and Nestlé USA. The latter is an overachiever, saying its target is months before the official deadline.
The latest to join the march toward natural colors? Hershey.
OK, chocolate is naturally brown, so no problem there, right? But don't forget Hershey's many other tasty assets. The company's products include Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, and Bubble Yum, all noted for their variety of bright shades.
Hershey declined to comment to Allrecipes, but a spokesperson told Bloomberg News, "Removing these colors is a natural next step in our program to ensure consumers have options to fit their lifestyle while maintaining trust and confidence in our products." The company plans to remove the synthetic colors by the end of 2027.
A Hershey representative told Food Dive that a 'strong national food ingredient approval system is the best way to ensure food safety, affordability, and quality in the marketplace.'
Translation? As states, including Texas and West Virginia, begin to make their own rules for manufacturers, a big, national push will be easier for everyone and will ultimately save the company money. We can't wait to see what Jolly Rancher candies will look like in 2027.
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