Target Pledges to Eliminate Synthetic Dyes from All Cereals by May 2026
In a significant health initiative, Target Corporation announced on Friday that it will become one of the first national retailers to sell only cereals made without certified synthetic colors starting in May 2026. The decision by the Minneapolis-based retailer affects both its private-label Good & Gather brand and national brands from companies like General Mills and Kellogg’s.
This move comes in response to increasing consumer demand for cleaner ingredients and federal pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has intensified scrutiny on artificial food dyes. Target’s Chief Merchandising Officer, Cara Sylvester, stated that the company is “moving quickly to evolve our offerings to meet their needs” as consumers prioritize healthier lifestyles.
Currently, 85% of Target’s cereal sales already come from products without synthetic dyes. The retailer has worked with national and private-label partners to reformulate products, aiming to maintain taste, quality, and pricing. The artificial dyes under review by the FDA include:
- Red No. 40
- Yellow No. 5 and 6
- Blue No. 1
These are petroleum-based colors that have sparked health concerns, particularly in products marketed to children.
Target’s announcement follows similar pledges from other major retailers:
- Walmart, which plans to remove synthetic dyes from store brands by January 2027
- General Mills, which committed to eliminating artificial colors from U.S. cereals by summer 2026
Source: https://www.axios.com/2026/02/27/target-removes-synthetic-food-dyes-cereal