On January 15, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on Red No. 3, a move that affects a large number of items across the food and beverage industry. The artificial additive is used in a number of popular grocery items, including candy and desserts, to achieve a bright red color. To be compliant with new federal guidelines, companies must phase it out completely by 2027.
Ahead of the deadline, many industry giants have already announced plans to remove not just Red No. 3, but all artificial colors from their products. In June, Kraft Heinz announced that it will not launch any new products containing Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) colors in the U.S. Additionally, it will remove all remaining artificial dyes by the 2027 deadline. Hershey and Nestlé have also made recent statements about how their products will be modified to comply with new guidelines.
Now, Texas-based creamery Blue Bell is the latest to share its plans for the upcoming transition.
Blue Bell Announces Plans To Remove Artificial Colors From Its Products
On July 14, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced that dozens of U.S. ice cream companies have committed to removing artificial colors in their products. In a recent statement on X, Blue Bell said that it is proud to be part of the IDFA commitment to eliminate certified artificial colors from its products, a list that includes Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Green No. 3, Blues No. 1 and 2, and Yellows No. 5 and 6.
The post also contains an image with a list of Blue Bell flavors that are already free from artificial colors, such as Bride’s Cake, Java Jolt, and Homemade in the Shade, which recently returned to stores after more than a decade-long hiatus.
Many of the ice cream flavors that already meet dye-free guidelines are vanilla or chocolate-based. But what about flavors such as Christmas Cookies and Cotton Candy, which use artificial color blends to achieve their vibrant hue?
Blue Bell told Allrecipes that customers can expect the revamped ice cream to maintain the flavor fans love. “The taste, texture, and fun of our ice cream will remain the same—the ingredient list is getting a refresh,” the brand wrote in a recent email.
At this time, it’s not clear which Blue Bell flavors will be introducing a new ingredient label this year, but the brand advises fans to stay up-to-date by following its social media accounts for information on new and returning flavors.
Dining and Cooking