A new voluntary effort led by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) in partnership with America’s ice cream makers promises to eliminate certified artificial colors from ice cream products made with real milk by Dec. 31, 2027.
With this effort, dozens of U.S. ice cream companies are pledging to eliminate the use of certified artificial colors Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 from their ice cream and frozen dairy desserts by 2028. The commitment represents companies making more than 90 percent of the ice cream volume sold in the U.S.
Many commercial ice cream makers have already phased out certified artificial colors, and many others are working with suppliers to phase them out by 2028 in compliance with this effort and other business considerations.
“I am proud of ice cream makers and dairy foods companies for stepping up for American families by making this voluntary commitment to provide ice cream and frozen dairy treats without certified artificial colors,” said Michael Dykes, DVM, president and CEO of IDFA.
“Americans are passionate about their ice cream, and the IDFA Ice Cream Commitment will ensure wholesome, indulgent ice cream products made with real milk from American dairy farmers remain a special part of our lives as state and federal policies evolve.”
Leaders from IDFA joined Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and others at the USDA headquarters in Washington July 14 to announce the commitment and participate in a special celebration of ice cream, where crowds enjoyed complimentary ice cream in recognition of National Ice Cream Day on July 20.
“Today’s announcement represents a commitment by dozens of individual ice cream companies,” said Andy Jacobs, chair of the IDFA Ice Cream Segment Board and CEO of Turkey Hill Dairy.
“From small independent companies to family-owned businesses going back generations, to large multi-national companies – we have all come together in a true industry-wide effort to make these changes.”
The IDFA Ice Cream Commitment applies to products made with real milk sold at food retail (including supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores and online retailers) by the nation’s commercial ice cream makers. In addition to branded and private label sales at food retail, many commercial ice cream makers distribute their products to restaurants, ice cream parlors and scoop shops across the country. This initiative does not apply to products made with non-dairy ingredients or those made in-house by small ice cream shops or restaurants (i.e., food service).
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), certified artificial colors are safe for use in foods when used in accordance with FDA regulations; at the same time, West Virginia has passed a law phasing out their use in foods sold at retail and several states are phasing out certified artificial colors in school foods.
This misalignment of federal and state policies could disrupt how and where foods, such as ice cream, are marketed and sold. By taking this proactive measure now, ice cream makers are ensuring ice cream remains a special part of consumers’ lives.
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