Panic at PepsiCo: Trump’s Ban on Synthetic Dyes Forces Emergency Product Overhaul

PepsiCo is scrambling to reformulate its products after the Trump administration launched a major crackdown on synthetic dyes in food and beverages.

Under the newly announced “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, President Trump’s team — led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary — unveiled a sweeping plan to ban six petroleum-based artificial dyes by 2026. Affected dyes include Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and several others commonly found in candy, sodas, and even medications.

Faced with the upcoming ban, PepsiCo executives confirmed during an April 24 earnings call that the company is speeding up its shift away from artificial ingredients. CEO Ramon Laguarta told analysts that more than 60% of PepsiCo’s U.S. food lineup already contains no artificial colors, and brands like Lay’s and Tostitos are on track to be completely free of synthetic dyes by the end of 2025.

The FDA described the move as long overdue, citing studies that link these dyes to ADHD, obesity, cancer, genetic damage, gastrointestinal issues, and allergies. “American kids have been living in a toxic chemical soup for decades,” Makary said, stressing the urgency of eliminating preventable health risks rather than relying on medications like Ozempic and Adderall to mask the problems.

Although PepsiCo has long defended the safety of its products, Laguarta acknowledged that consumer attitudes are shifting. “We stand by the science that our products are safe,” he said, “but we also recognize that today’s consumers want cleaner, more natural ingredients. So we’re accelerating that transition.”

PepsiCo’s changes bring U.S. products more in line with European standards, where synthetic dyes have been restricted for years and replaced with natural alternatives like beet juice, turmeric, and paprika extract.

Laguarta pledged that PepsiCo would lead the way in this transformation. “In the next few years, all of our products will either use natural colors or offer consumers the option to choose them,” he said.

The FDA’s aggressive new stance on food safety is forcing major food and beverage companies to adapt quickly — or risk falling behind in a rapidly changing marketplace.