As companies move away from synthetic food dyes, they’re facing a complex mix of challenges, not only regulatory, but also in how products are formulated, marketed, and received by consumers. In a recent article for Prepared Foods, AMC Global’s EVP of Growth and Innovation, Lea Ben-Akiva, explores how food and beverage companies can navigate the FDA’s upcoming phase-out of eight petroleum-based dyes—including Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5—and what it will take to stay both compliant and competitive.
In “Rush to Shift to Natural Colors Is Accelerating” Lea outlines that these changes will affect a wide variety of products beyond candy, from cereals and yogurts to canned vegetables and snack foods. While some consumers will welcome these changes, others may react negatively if their favorite products lose their signature appearance, texture, or taste. That’s where market research becomes essential.
At AMC Global, we help brands use research to anticipate consumer reactions before a product reformulation hits the shelf. From concept testing and message evaluation to launch-phase studies and pricing research, we support decision-making across the product lifecycle. Product testing is also an important research methodology, helping ensure that reformulated products taste, look, and perform in line with consumer expectations. As Lea explains in Prepared Foods, research also plays a role in educating consumers by helping brands communicate benefits like fewer artificial ingredients and more natural sourcing in ways that resonate with real-world expectations.
The shift to natural colors will require more than ingredient swaps—it will take data-driven strategies that balance compliance, innovation, and consumer trust. Learn more in the full article, “Rush to Shift to Natural Colors Is Accelerating,” from Prepared Foods, and reach out to see how we can help you bridge the gap between formulation and perception.
