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 soundness representatives revealed 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 feasible soundness effects In fresh weeks companies including Nestle Kraft Heinz and General Mills announced they would pull artificial colors from their foods too This is a Renaissance moment for vitality in America U S Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary reported at a news conference About makers of ice cream and frozen dairy desserts noted 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 commerce 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 agents should not ignore larger known contributors to chronic ailment including the added sugars and saturated fat commonly unveiled in ice cream noted 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 reported 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 malady ending what he called a -year demonization of natural saturated fat The average American eats about gallons of ice cream a year the IDFA commented 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 particular 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 Medical 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 authorities commented The FDA has approved new natural color additives in contemporary months including a new blue color made from the fruit of the gardenia reported Monday Gardenia genipin blue is approved for use in sports drinks candies and certain other products the agency disclosed 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 detected to cause cancer in laboratory rats but not humans Several food companies have explained they will stop using artificial dyes but relying on voluntary action rather than regulatory requirements won t guarantee compliance commented Thomas Galligan a scientist with the Center for Science in the Inhabitants Interest a consumer advocacy group Talk is cheap Galligan explained 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 authentically follow through