USDA: Ice cream makers to phase out artificial colors by 2028

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, alongside the International Dairy Foods Association, announced that major U.S. ice cream makers will phase out artificial colors by the end of 2027.

This includes dyes, like Red 40 and Yellow 5. The voluntary pledge aligns with growing national efforts to remove synthetic additives, especially in school foods.

Officials from USDA and FDA gathered in Washington today to support the move with complimentary ice cream.

.@SecRollins: I just want to commend the leadership at the International Dairy Foods Association for taking on this voluntary, proactive effort to eliminate the use of artificial colors in ice cream products by the end of 2027.

MAHA! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vQxO0zjjKm
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 14, 2025

Related Stories

Livestock

Dairy Farmers Push for Action on Labor Challenges

The dairy industry is encouraged by potential H-2A reforms while supporting renewal of the USMCA.

June 16, 2026 04:33 PM

Neal Burnette-Irwin

Rural Lifestyle

Dairy Month Spotlight: Wisconsin Family Keeps Holstein Legacy Flowing Across Generations

Hildebrandt Family Farms combines multi-generational farming with a hands-on approach to herd management.

June 16, 2026 02:58 PM

Neal Burnette-Irwin

Business

Dairy Month Spotlight: ‘Born to Dairy’ Campaign Puts Farmer Faces on Billboards and Buses Across Wisconsin

Suzanne Fanning with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin joined us to discuss the “Born to Dairy” campaign, dairy promotion efforts in Wisconsin, and the economic role of the state’s dairy industry during National Dairy Month.

June 12, 2026 03:50 PM

Marion Kirkpatrick

Business

Milkshakes on the Moo-ve: Pennsylvania Dairy Initiative Hits the Road for Dairy Month

The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association joins us to share their “Milkshakes on the Moo-ve” campaign and statewide dairy outreach during National Dairy Month.

June 12, 2026 02:33 PM

Marion Kirkpatrick

Dairy

RFD NEWS STAFF

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

FFA Today

FFA Today: Missouri FFA Student Earns National Ag Honor

Lily Pryer’s passion shows how National FFA members are making an impact in classrooms and communities all across Rural America.

January 05, 2026 12:39 PM

RFD NEWS STAFF

Washington Policy

Another Government Shutdown Looms as Congress Returns to Work

A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.

January 05, 2026 12:20 PM

Marion Kirkpatrick

Markets

Farmers Capture Larger Share of Rising Beef Prices

Shaun Haney, Host of RealAg Radio on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147, joined us with his 2026 cattle market outlook and insights on beef prices.

January 05, 2026 10:41 AM

Tony St. James

USDA

USDA Details Farmer Bridge Assistance Payment Rates

Farmer Bridge Assistance payments provide immediate balance-sheet support heading into 2026, but remain a short-term bridge rather than a substitute for long-term market recovery.

January 05, 2026 10:17 AM

Tony St. James

Weather News

Oregon Cattlemen Launch Fund for 2024 Wildfire Recovery

The New Year is here, but in Oregon, some ranchers and livestock producers are still trying to recover from record wildfires back in 2024.

January 05, 2026 09:46 AM

RFD NEWS STAFF

Rural Lifestyle

From Sea to Shining Sea: Travel Across America with This Year’s Capitol Christmas Tree

The U.S. Forest Service takes us on the same journey from a tree farm in Nevada across America to experience the magic of Christmas in the U.S. Capitol.

December 23, 2025 02:15 PM

RFD NEWS STAFF