Mondelez to phase out synthetic dyes in candy lines

Mondelez International, maker of Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish, said it is working to replace synthetic food dyes with natural alternatives, according to Reuters. The company did not give a timeline for the transition.

The move aligns with consumer demand and state-level regulations. Some U.S. states, including West Virginia, have already passed bans on synthetic dyes in food, with enforcement set to begin in 2028.

While companies such as Kraft Heinz and Danone have already committed to reformulations, Mondelez has been an outlier. Market research firm Euromonitor ranks Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish among the top 10 gummy candy brands in the U.S., underscoring the impact of the shift.

Industry experts say state legislation is a stronger driver of reform than voluntary commitments requested by federal officials. “The state-level crackdown on food dye is motivating for these companies,” Thomas Galligan, a scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, told Reuters.

For refreshment services and convenience operators, the change signals that healthier, dye-free candy options could become available to meet growing consumer expectations, particularly in schools, workplaces and other environments where ingredient transparency influences purchasing decisions.