General Mills to Remove Certified Colors from U.S. Cereals and K-12 School Foods by 2026

General Mills has announced plans to eliminate certified colors from all its U.S. cereals and products served in K-12 schools by summer 2026, with the aim of phasing out certified colors across its entire U.S. retail portfolio by the end of 2027.

The move builds on existing progress: currently, almost all of the company’s K-12 offerings and 85% of its U.S. retail products are already made without certified colors. The remaining changes represent the final step toward full removal.

“This reformulation reflects our continued efforts to adapt to evolving consumer preferences,” said Jeff Harmening, chairman and CEO of General Mills. “Families trust us to provide food that is both great-tasting and accessible, and this step is part of that commitment.”

General Mills has a long track record of product reformulation. Recent initiatives include reducing sugar in its K-12 school portfolio, doubling vitamin D in its cereals in 2023, and cutting sodium by 20% in key product categories since 2019. The company is also the leading provider of whole grains in the U.S.

The phase-out of certified colors is part of General Mills’ broader strategy to improve the nutritional profile of its products while maintaining taste and quality.