Sam's Club has reached 96 percent completion of removing artificial food dyes from its Member's Mark store brand products. According to NPR, the Walmart-owned warehouse retailer committed in 2022 to eliminate dozens of ingredients including artificial dyes by the end of 2025. Nick Scheidler, who leads product development at Sam's Club, expects the company to meet its year-end deadline.

The retailer joins major food companies including Kraft Heinz, Nestle, Campbell's and Mars in pledging to phase out synthetic dyes. These companies are spending millions to ensure natural alternatives match the vibrant appearance of artificial colors. Sam's Club scientists have encountered significant technical challenges in replacing petroleum-based dyes while maintaining product appeal.

Color proved the most difficult ingredient to replace during the reformulation process. Natural alternatives like turmeric, beets, and spirulina often produce muted colors that fade over time. In one case involving a frosted star cookie, Sam's Club required 30 times more natural color concentration to achieve the same vibrant appearance as artificial dyes.

Why This Matters

This development reflects growing pressure from health officials and state governments to eliminate synthetic dyes from American food products. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced in April 2025 that the agency plans to phase out six petroleum-based dyes by the end of 2026. The federal government also banned Red Dye No. 3 from food products starting in 2027.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has linked synthetic food dyes to rising rates of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD. California's Environmental Protection Agency found in 2021 that synthetic dyes can cause hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children. Twenty-five states have introduced legislation to ban, restrict, or require labels for synthetic food dyes following California's initial actions.

Consumer surveys consistently show that color and appearance remain important factors in purchasing decisions. Sam's Club's research confirms that shoppers continue to expect bright, vivid colors in processed foods and beverages, creating pressure for companies to maintain visual appeal during the transition to natural alternatives.

Industry Implications

The food industry faces a fundamental shift as companies race to replace synthetic dyes across thousands of products. Market research shows the global natural food color market reached $1.7 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at 8.3 percent annually through 2030. Companies are investing heavily in research and development to overcome technical limitations of plant-based colorants.

Natural dyes cost significantly more than synthetic alternatives and present stability challenges in various food applications. Food manufacturers report that natural colors often behave differently across pH levels and processing conditions, requiring extensive reformulation efforts. Carotenoid pigments currently dominate the natural color market with a 35 percent share, while blue alternatives remain particularly challenging to source.

The transition creates both opportunities and risks for food companies. Firms that successfully navigate the switch to natural colors may gain competitive advantages with health-conscious consumers. However, companies that fail to maintain product appeal risk consumer rejection, as demonstrated when General Mills temporarily switched Trix cereal to natural colors in 2015 before reverting to synthetic dyes following customer complaints.

Further Reading

For deeper insights into global adoption trends, our Alternative Financial Systems Index tracks regulatory frameworks and adoption metrics across 50 countries. The index provides comprehensive analysis of how policy changes affect industry transformation initiatives worldwide.