Popular snack brands including Lay’s and Tostitos will no longer contain artificial colors by the end of 2025, as PepsiCo aligns with a new federal initiative to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the US food supply.

The change follows an April announcement by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who directed the Food and Drug Administration to phase out several widely used artificial dyes, citing health concerns. The move targets FD&C Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and No. 6, Blue No. 1 and No. 2, and Green No. 3, with additional restrictions on Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B expected in the coming months.

PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta confirmed during an April 24 earnings call that more than 60% of the company's products already exclude artificial colors. He said the company will continue phasing out remaining dyes across its portfolio—including brands like Doritos and Cheetos—and offer natural alternatives where possible.

“We obviously stand by the science, and our products are very safe,” Laguarta said. “Ideally, we can do this in a very pragmatic, orchestrated way as an industry and not create unnecessary panic or chaos. But we’ll lead that transition.”

Laguarta added that PepsiCo aims to stay ahead of consumer demand for more natural ingredients, building on previous reformulation efforts around sodium, sugar, and fats.

The FDA said the phase-out brings US standards closer to those in Europe and Canada, where many synthetic dyes have already been replaced by natural ingredients. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary called the initiative “a necessary step to protect children’s health.”

Kennedy, who became health secretary in February, described the presence of artificial dyes in food and medicine as a violation of consumer trust.

“These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development,” he said during an April 22 announcement. “That era is coming to an end.”