A Dye-ing Art
The 2026 ban of artificial food dyes.
By 2026, the US will ban certain artificial food dyes, putting global brands under pressure to reformulate their most iconic, colour-led products. At the heart of the issue are consumers. Some want cleaner labels and transparency, while others still connect with the vibrant, joyful brand cues that define nostalgic favourites. This tension leaves businesses at a creative crossroads: how do you adapt to regulatory and cultural shifts without compromising your brand identity? Think Heinz and its signature red ketchup: a shade that signals familiarity, trust and quality (so iconic that it has its own Pantone shade). When colour carries meaning, the stakes are higher. So how do you evolve without eroding what makes you recognisable?
