Milk Makeover: Dairy industry voluntarily removes artificial colors from milk in public schools

Changes are on the way to dairy options in public schools.

The International Dairy Foods Association says it will stop using artificial dyes in products in the National School Lunch Program starting next school year. The group says a large number of products in schools today do not have artificial colors.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins weighed in on the announcement, saying America’s dairy farmers have always led the way in improving nutrition. She thanked the dairy industry and says she looks forward to future talks around making America healthy again.

The announcement came the same day as a similar one from Health Secretary Robert Kennedy. He announced a plan to phase out eight food dyes by the end of next year, and the products they are targeting are petroleum-based. Kennedy says he will work with food companies to establish a national standard and timeline for removing the dyes.

Related Stories
House lawmakers push toward a Farm Bill vote as debate grows over E15, Prop 12, and input costs, with farmers seeking certainty and policy updates.
Higher cow numbers and slightly stronger output per cow pushed milk production above last year.
Feed demand and premiums drive growth for the crop
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans a farm visit in Missouri, hinting at a possible fertilizer relief announcement on RFD-TV earlier this week. USDA also restructures its research infrastructure and launches new food-safety centers.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins hints at new fertilizer plan while trade deals, soybean markets, and farm bill momentum drive ag policy discussion.
A prolonged Iran ceasefire offers limited relief as fertilizer concerns persist, prompting U.S. policy shifts and driving farmers to reconsider crop acreage.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

A recent news story involving a group of farmers in Mississippi reveals the potential downside of selling grain under a deferred payment contract. The risk of deferred payment ag commodity sales and what can be done for protection—that is the topic of today’s blog post.
Recently, a bank in Texas got confused on the financing rules governing agricultural crops and lost its security interest as a result. Ag financing and priority rules among competing security interests—that is the topic of today’s post.
The classification of persons conducting farming operations for a farm landowner—that is the topic of today’s blog post by RFD-TV farm-legal expert Roger A. McEowen.
Farm-legal expert Roger A. McEowen discusses avoiding contractual obligations in times of pandemic.
Is a handshake as good as your word? That is the topic of today’s blog post by RFD-TV farm legal expert Roger A. McEowen — the ability to enforce oral contracts for the sale of goods.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.