CHICAGO, July15, 2025 — Dozens of ice cream makers have agreed to stop using artificial dyes in their frozen dairy products by the end of 2027, according to joint announcements Monday by the producers’ trade association and the Trump Administration. 

 

The White House said the voluntary move will affect about 90% of the ice cream and other frozen milk-based products sold in the United States.  

 

It hailed the decision by members of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) as a major advance in the administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) campaign, which aims to rid the nation’s food supply of harmful additives.  

 

At least a dozen major food manufacturers and at least two quick-service restaurant chains have announced to date that they will phase out their use of petroleum-based dyes, as requested by U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. 

 

“I applaud the International Dairy Foods Association for stepping up to eliminate certified artificial colors,” Kennedy said in a prepared statement. “The American people have made it clear—they want real food, without chemicals. Together, we will Make America Healthy Again.” 

 

The association did not release a complete list of the ice cream makers that have agreed to replace artificial dyes with natural coloring agents.  

 

The ice creams that will be revamped are sold in both grocery stores and food-away-from-home outlets like restaurants and ice cream parlors, IDFA said.  

 

Ice cream produced in boutique-scale quantities and frozen treats made without real milk are not covered under the producers’ pledge, the association added.  

 

It noted that the dairy industry is taking a number of other steps to meet Kennedy’s MAHA principles. IFDA members have also pledged to remove artificial colorings from yogurt, milk, and cheese sold to schools by next July, and to reduce the amount of sugar and calories that are served in schools. 

As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.

Cover image courtesy: Closed Loop Project