A government announcement on July 14, 2025, revealed that close to 40 manufacturers involved in ice cream production across the United States have committed to withdrawing seven artificial dyes from their products within three years. This decision followed sustained pressure from the Trump administration, which has urged the food industry to eliminate synthetic colorings due to possible health concerns. The color additives planned for elimination are Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3. Although individual companies were not publicly named, the chief executive of Turkey Hill Dairy attended the briefing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) described the move as a major shift in manufacturing standards. While regulatory authorities consider approved dyes to be generally safe, certain studies have indicated a potential connection between these additives and neurobehavioral conditions, such as hyperactivity, in some children.

According to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, this development is part of a broader movement to reevaluate food safety standards. Makary also confirmed that Red 3 was banned earlier this year, and manufacturers are required to eliminate it by 2027. The FDA has recently approved new natural alternatives, such as a blue coloring derived from gardenia fruit. However, some health experts warned that removing dyes alone will not address other risk factors, including high levels of sugar and saturated fat in ice cream. The Center for Science in the Public Interest raised concerns about depending on voluntary commitments, emphasizing that regulatory enforcement is needed to guarantee compliance. New federal dietary guidelines, expected later this year, may revise existing views on saturated fat, according to Makary.