Tyson Foods pledges to remove synthetic dyes from all products

In the United States, on May 5, 2025, Tyson Foods announced on an earnings call that it is committed to eliminating petroleum-based synthetic dyes from its products by the end of this month. This proactive measure comes amid increasing scrutiny from health officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been advocating for the removal of synthetic dyes due to potential health concerns and their alleged link to neurobehavioral problems. Donnie King, the president and CEO of Tyson Foods, stated that many of their retail-branded food items already do not include these harmful dyes. He emphasized that the company's school nutrition programs consistently offer products free from synthetic dyes. Additionally, most of the company's popular items, such as chicken nuggets, have been reformulated to exclude these ingredients, showcasing Tyson Foods’ commitment to healthier options. The broader context involves the recent call by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food manufacturers to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes by the end of the upcoming year. This is a part of the FDA’s strategy to improve food safety and protect public health, which reflects a growing consensus regarding the safety of food additives. Major food companies, like PepsiCo, have similarly initiated plans to rid their products of artificial colors, indicating a significant industry-wide shift towards cleaner, more transparent ingredient lists. Overall, Tyson Foods aims to lead by example in the food industry by making these changes ahead of regulatory deadlines.