By 2028, nearly 90% of ice cream and frozen desserts sold in the United States will be free from artificial food dyes, according to a new announcement by federal health officials and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). The move comes after years of pressure from health advocates and consumers for cleaner, more natural ingredients in everyday foods.Around 40 major ice cream and dessert brands have committed to removing seven commonly used synthetic dyes—Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6—from their products. The timeline for this shift is less than three years, signaling a fast-paced change across the industry.“A Renaissance Moment for Health”Calling it a major public health milestone, Dr. Marty Makary, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), described the change as “a Renaissance moment for health in America.” He emphasized that this move is part of a broader trend in the food industry to reduce synthetic ingredients and shift toward natural alternatives.Big-name food companies like Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, and General Mills have also announced plans to phase out artificial colors from a range of their products—not just ice cream—reflecting a larger industry transformation.The Health Debate Around Artificial DyesFor years, health groups have pushed for the removal of artificial food dyes, citing studies that suggest a link between synthetic colorants and behavior or attention problems in some children. Red 3, in particular, has come under scrutiny. Though still considered safe in small amounts by the FDA, it was officially banned for use in food earlier this year after being linked to cancer in lab animal studies. Food companies have until 2027 to comply with the ban.Despite these findings, the FDA maintains that most approved dyes are safe and that “most children have no adverse effects” from consuming them. Nevertheless, Makary has urged companies to stop using Red 3 even before the official deadline.Natural Colors Take Center StageIn response, companies are being encouraged to replace synthetic dyes with natural ones derived from fruits, plants, and other edible sources. This includes ingredients like beet juice, turmeric, spirulina, and carrot extract.Adding to these efforts, the FDA just approved a new natural blue color extracted from gardenia fruit. This dye can now be used in a variety of foods, including sports drinks and candy.Will This Make Ice Cream Healthier?While the move away from artificial dyes is widely seen as a step in the right direction, some nutrition experts warn that it doesn’t automatically make ice cream a health food.“Just removing artificial dyes won’t change the fact that ice cream is still high in sugar and saturated fat,” said Deanna Hoelscher, a professor of nutrition at the University of Texas. “It’s a treat that should still be enjoyed in moderation.”According to the IDFA, the average American consumes about four gallons of ice cream every year.Voluntary Promises or Real Progress?Not everyone is convinced that voluntary pledges from companies are enough. Thomas Galligan, a scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, expressed concern that promises might not translate into real change.“Talk is cheap,” Galligan said. “It’s easy to make commitments for good press, but we’ll have to see if companies actually follow through.”As pressure from health experts and consumers continues to grow, all eyes are now on whether food makers will meet these pledges—and whether natural food coloring becomes the new industry standard.