22-04-2025
Dairy industry pledges to remove artificial colors in school meals
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The use of some artificial dyes in dairy products might soon be phased out.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced and supported the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announcement on the IDFA Healthy Dairy in Schools Commitment, a 'voluntary, proactive pledge' to eliminate certain food dyes from dairy products.
Officials say, specifically, the dyes that were eliminated include Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 in milk, cheese and yogurt products sold to K-12 schools for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs beginning during the 2026-2027 school year.
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'America's dairy farmers and milk processors have always led the way in providing our families and schoolchildren with healthy, nutritious and delicious milk products. While I look forward to getting whole milk back into our schools, today's announcement shows how the dairy industry is voluntarily driving change and giving consumers what they want, without government mandates. I thank IDFA and the dairy industry for leading the way and look forward to other industries thinking about how together, we can Make America Healthy Again.'
Secretary Rollins
IDFA explains the vast majority of dairy products currently sold to schools do not contain any certified artificial colors, as most dairy processors have chosen not to use or decided to remove or replace these ingredients in the past. Moving forward, all companies supporting the Healthy Dairy in Schools Commitment have pledged to discontinue products containing certified artificial colors or to reformulate products with natural ingredients, joining the majority of companies that will continue making products for schools without certified artificial colors.
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IDFA officials note at the same time, dairy companies will continue to reduce added sugar and work with school nutrition professionals, parents and students to educate them about the benefits of milk, cheese and yogurt in healthy diets. Officials note the 'reduced sugar' means there should be no more than 10 grams of added sugar per 8 fluid ounce serving.
According to the IDFA, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed certified artificial colors safe for use in foods when used in accordance with FDA regulations, the federal government is considering how to phase out the use of these ingredients in the U.S. food supply.
According to the Associated Press, health advocates have long called for the removal of artificial dyes from foods, citing mixed studies indicating they can cause neurobehavioral problems, including hyperactivity and attention issues, in some children. However, the FDA has maintained that the approved dyes are safe and that 'the totality of scientific evidence shows that most children have no adverse effects when consuming foods containing color additives.'
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