For those with a sweet tooth, candy is the ultimate guilty pleasure. Whether chocolate, lollipops, or gummies, these treats are undeniably addictive.
Let's be honest. We often tell ourselves we'll just have one bite, but once we get a taste, it's nearly impossible to stop.
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Many of us can relate to hiding candy from our parents as kids so they wouldn't lecture us on how bad it is for our health.
Now that we are adults, we have no one to prevent us from eating an entire box of chocolates in one sitting, except ourselves.
Related: Hershey adds new products to move beyond chocolate
Most people aren't trying to cut out candy just because it's high in calories; they're also concerned about the added sugars, lack of nutrients, and potential health risks that come with it.
Yet, the ingredients list often gets overlooked, which can be nearly as long and difficult to pronounce as a college philosophy book.
The U.S. government seeks to phase out synthetic dyes from food
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently kicked off various new measures to phase out six petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply by the end of next year.
The intent is to encourage natural alternatives, as synthetic dyes may be linked to childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD.
Related: Hershey creates new guilt-free candy that's a dream combo
“For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development. That era is coming to an end.”
This request has reached multiple states, with West Virginia becoming the first state to ban the sale of food containing artificial dyes and preservatives beginning in 2028. Texas will now require warning labels on food products containing synthetic dyes starting in 2027.
Hershey becomes the latest food company to remove synthetic dyes
Major food companies, including ConAgra Brands (CAG) , General Mills (GIS) , Tyson Foods (TSN) , and W.K. Kellogg (KLG) , have recently joined the initiative by committing to completely remove synthetic dyes by the end of 2027, with Nestlé USA (NSRGY) aiming for mid-2026.
Now, Hershey (HSY) , the largest chocolate manufacturer in the U.S., is hopping on the trend, promising to remove synthetic dyes from its products by the end of 2027.
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Many of the company's products, including Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers, and Reese's Pieces, rely on synthetic dyes, and removing them would require a hefty investment if it wants to fulfill its promise.
Hershey acknowledges that making these changes would increase consumer costs, but removing the dyes will provide customers with more options, while ensuring confidence and trust in its products.
However, finances might be a bit tight, since net sales in its North America Confectionery sector fell 15% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to last year.
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