Blue Bell Creameries, based in Brenham, Texas, announced plans to remove all certified artificial colors, including Red 3, Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 5, from its ice cream lineup by the end of 2027.
The decision aligns with an industry-wide effort led by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) to phase out synthetic dyes, driven by shifting consumer preferences and a growing patchwork of state and federal regulations.
“Blue Bell is proud to be a part of the IDFA commitment,” the company stated in a post on X.
Many popular flavors, such as Banana Nut, Bride’s Cake, Milk Chocolate, and Southern Blackberry Cobbler, are already made without artificial colors, giving the creamery a head start on the transition. The change will not affect non-dairy products or small-batch items but aims to keep Blue Bell competitive amid new laws, including Texas’ Senate Bill 25, passed in June, which mandates warning labels for 44 additives.
To support customers during the shift, Blue Bell is releasing a current list of flavors free from artificial colors, a move intended to maintain trust and ensure compliance as regulations evolve nationwide.