Perfetti Van Melle Has Begun Removing Artificial Colors

The candy maker is reformulating over 650 U.S. products to meet evolving regulatory and consumer demands.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Consumer Goods

Isometric editorial illustration showing a network of industrial pipes and valves, representing the large-scale manufacturing process of product reformulation. — Perfetti Van Melle has begun removing artificial food colors from its U.S. product portfolio, affecting over 650 items across major confectionary brands. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Perfetti Van Melle has initiated a transition of its U.S. product portfolio to eliminate certified FD&C additives. This move affects more than 650 products across major brands including Airheads, Trident, and Mentos Gum.

Why it matters

The transition responds to shifting regulatory requirements at both state and federal levels alongside increasing consumer preference for natural ingredient alternatives. Adapting now allows the company to proactively manage compliance for its extensive product line.

Perfetti Van Melle, a member of the Global Top 100 Candy Companies, is transitioning 650 U.S. products to non-artificial colors. While Mentos Chewy mints and Chupa Chups lollipops already utilize these ingredients, the remaining portfolio requires comprehensive testing.

The players

Perfetti Van Melle

A global confectionery company and member of the Top 100 Candy Companies known for manufacturing mints and gum.

The details

The reformulation process requires individual ingredient testing and manufacturing validation for each of the 650 affected products. Perfetti Van Melle is actively qualifying new suppliers and updating packaging and labeling to maintain regulatory compliance during this shift. These operational steps are essential to ensure that the new formulations maintain product stability and consistency across the national distribution network.

2027: The first reformulated products are expected to reach the market.

Market Landscape

This transition follows a clear industry trend toward the removal of artificial dyes in response to state-level FD&C additive restrictions. By aligning its entire U.S. portfolio with these standards, the company is preemptively narrowing its compliance risk.

Operators in the food and beverage space should monitor the 2027 launch window as a benchmark for successful product reformulation timelines. Managing supplier qualification and packaging updates now will be critical to avoiding potential disruption when regulatory requirements become more stringent.

The takeaway

Large-scale ingredient transitions require significant lead time for testing and supplier vetting to ensure product performance remains consistent. Review your own supply chain now for reliance on ingredients facing future regulatory scrutiny to avoid last-minute reformulation pressures.