Nestlé to remove all artificial food colourings from its products this year

01 July 2026

French headquarters building of Nestlé

Nestlé plans to remove artificial food colourings from all food products worldwide by the end of 2026, a senior executive told Reuters on Tuesday. This is the first major food company to take such a step globally.

The company will continue to use natural colourings.

Previously, the company had already eliminated artificial colourings from its catalogue of foods and drinks in the United States, amid concerns about the negative health implications of artificial food colourings and other additives. The company had been preparing this transition for years, according to Nestlé’s technology chief, Stefan Palzer.  

SAFE welcomes the decision, as it aligns with its long-standing concern on the negative health impacts of additives contained in highly processed industrial foods, or ultra-processed foods (UPFs). SAFE calls for stricter rules targeting additives in industrial food preparations, including the taxation of colourings, sweeteners, and other additives to encourage reformulation.