Target announced it will sell only cereals free of certified synthetic colors by the end of May, tightening food standards amid growing regulatory scrutiny.
The retailer said the move reflects rising consumer demand for cleaner ingredients and healthier food options across grocery aisles nationwide.
“We know consumers are increasingly prioritizing healthier lifestyles,” said Cara Sylvester, Target’s chief merchandising officer, noting the company is accelerating product changes.
The decision follows a broader federal crackdown on artificial dyes and ultra-processed foods led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy has linked chemical additives to a national surge in childhood obesity, diabetes, cancer, mental health disorders, allergies and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Major packaged food manufacturers, including PepsiCo, Campbell’s and Conagra Brands, pledged last year to phase out artificial dyes.
Walmart also committed to removing synthetic dyes from its U.S. private-label food products by January 2027, signaling an industry-wide shift toward health-focused reformulation.
