Packaged food makers are under growing pressure in the U.S. to simplify ingredients as retailers and regulators push harder on additives. Kellogg said on July 17 that it will remove artificial colors from all of its cereals, a change that will shape what shoppers see on shelves in 2026. The Battle Creek, Michigan-based company said the work is moving faster than its earlier timeline.
Kellogg moves up its cereal reformulation plan
WK Kellogg confirmed Thursday that it will remove artificial colors from all of its cereals by the end of this year, which is 1 year earlier than the end-of-2027 target it announced in August 2024. The company said it identified fruit- and vegetable-based juices that can replace synthetic dyes in cereals including Froot Loops and Apple Jacks. Kellogg also said it invested in equipment needed to make the switch across its cereal lineup.
The company said it is also removing BHT, an artificial preservative, from the small number of cereals that still contain it. Chief Growth Officer Doug VanDeVelde said in a statement that more consumers are looking for simple, recognizable ingredients. That statement tied the change directly to ingredient expectations that have become more visible in the cereal aisle over the past year.
What the change means in Michigan and beyond
Because Kellogg is headquartered in Battle Creek, Michigan, the announcement carries added local significance there even though the cereals are sold nationally. What is confirmed is the companywide policy: Kellogg said all cereals will be free of artificial colors by the end of 2025, meaning boxes sold through 2026 should increasingly reflect the reformulated recipes. The company has not released a product-by-product schedule showing exactly when each cereal will change on store shelves in Michigan or in any other state.
That means shoppers may continue to see mixed inventory for a period as older boxes sell through and newer production arrives. Kellogg also has not published a full list of every cereal that still contains BHT while the transition is underway. What is clear from the company statement is that the change applies across its cereal business rather than to a limited regional launch.
Why Kellogg is making the change now
Kellogg has faced pressure for years to remove artificial ingredients from cereals, and the company has already made similar changes in countries including Canada. In 2024, dozens of people rallied outside Kellogg headquarters in Battle Creek and delivered petitions with 400,000 signatures asking the company to remove artificial dyes and BHT. That public campaign gave the issue a clear local and national profile.
The pressure has also come from government officials and retailers. Last August, Kellogg signed an agreement with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton saying it would permanently remove what the agreement called toxic dyes from its cereals by the end of 2027. Earlier in 2025, Target said it would stop selling cereals with artificial colors by the end of May, and Walmart said it will remove artificial colors from its store brands by January 2027.
