Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Campbell’s will transition all remaining products to natural colors
- Affected brands include: Goldfish, V8 Splash, Archway, Stella D’oro, Jays
- Move aligns with consumer demand for simpler, plant-based ingredients and regulatory trends
- Campbell’s continues cost and tariff management
The Campbell’s Co. has become the latest company to unveil plans to fully remove artificial colors from food and beverage products.
While the Camden-based food giant said the vast majority of items it sells already use natural dyes, it will transition away from petroleum-based synthetic dyes for the last few remaining products by August 2026, according to a Sept. 3 press release.
Instead, Campbell’s will utilize colors from natural sources, such as annatto and purple carrot juice concentrate, for items like Lance crackers and V8 Splash. The company also noted snack and cookie brands like Archway, Stella D’oro and Jays will no longer be made with FD&C [Food, Drug & Cosmetic] dyes.
Campbell’s joins a host of CPG companies – such as Kraft Heinz, Nestle, General Mills and PepsiCo – with its pledge to remove artificial colors from snacks, candy and cereals amid pressure from the White House as well as changing consumer preferences. In April, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to eliminate eight synthetic dye from the U.S. food supply by the end of 2026.
Nothing new here
In a statement, Campbell’s said, “We’ve been actively reviewing our portfolio and tracking the evolving regulatory environment. People are increasingly seeking better-for-you options with simpler, recognizable ingredients. This move reflects both consumer preferences and our commitment to making great food.”
The company’s lineup features four $1 billion banners: Campbell’s, Goldfish, Pepperidge Farm and Rao’s. Other Campbell’s brands include Late July, Chunky, Cape Cod, Kettle Brand, Pace, Pacific Foods, Prego, Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, Snyder’s of Hanover and Swanson.
Campbell’s pointed out that “using colors derived from natural sources is not new for us.”
“Goldfish crackers have used colors sourced from plants for more than 15 years. For instance, red Goldfish get their color through a mix of beet juice concentrate and paprika extracted from sweet red peppers,” the press release said.
According to Campbell’s, products with FD&C colors will move off the shelf as inventory clears.
The announced changes come as Campbell’s expects to mitigate 60% of tariff-related impacts with price adjustments, efficiency measures and cost-cutting.
In the company’s most recent quarterly earnings report, released Sept. 3, Campbell’s said it anticipates that trade duties will account for 4% of the cost of goods for the fiscal year that began Aug. 4.
In a statement, Campbell’s CEO Mick Beekhuizen said, “Going into fiscal 2026, we’re focused on delivering today while building for tomorrow – with an increased emphasis on delivering topline growth through incremental marketing investments and consumer-led innovation, as we continue to expand our capabilities. Simultaneously, we’re increasing productivity and accelerating cost savings initiatives to help mitigate core inflation and tariff headwinds.”
For the quarter ending Aug. 3, Campbell’s recorded $2.32 billion in total sales, a 1% year-over-year increase. According to Campbell’s, snacks were up 2.4% to $1.12 billion and meals & beverages rose 0.2% to $1.2 billion.
In a call with investors, Beekhuizen said, “As we have seen over the last few quarters, consumers remain cautious and intentional with their spending. They continue to seek value in a variety of ways, such as cooking at home, a behavior that fuels growth in our meals and beverages business.”
He also said that the company is “leaning into these areas” to meet consumer demand for at-home meals that provide multiple servings by highlighting soups, broths and pasta sauces.
