WK Kellogg Co said Aug. 6 that it will eliminate artificial colors from its entire cereal portfolio by the end of 2026, bringing forward its original timetable by one year. The company said production of cereals using the new recipes will begin later this year, with products expected to reach retailers before the end of 2026.
The reformulation will include major brands such as Kellogg’s Froot Loops and Apple Jacks. WK Kellogg said the new recipes will use colors derived from natural sources, including fruit and vegetable juices and other plant-based ingredients, while maintaining the taste, quality and familiar colors of its cereals.
The company said it has made a significant investment in its manufacturing facilities to support production of the reformulated cereals at scale.
Reformulation Covers Entire Cereal Portfolio
WK Kellogg Chief Growth Officer Doug VanDeVelde said the company conducted extensive consumer testing to develop natural alternatives for the colors used across its cereals.
The company said the reformulated products will retain the red, orange, yellow, green, purple and blue colors associated with Froot Loops and other colorful cereals. WK Kellogg said it identified natural solutions for each color while seeking to preserve the products’ existing taste and quality.
The transition will cover brands including Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Kashi, Special K, Raisin Bran and Bear Naked.
BHT Removal Also Moves Ahead
WK Kellogg said it is also ahead of schedule in removing the preservative BHT from the small amount of cereal packaging that currently contains it. The company linked both changes to its broader effort to simplify its cereal portfolio.
The company said it has already reformulated foods served in schools to remove artificial colors. It also stopped launching new products containing artificial colors beginning in January.
WK Kellogg said its broader product strategy includes increasing whole grains and fiber, reducing sugar and sodium, and providing vitamins and minerals. The company also recently introduced its SPOONS on-pack nutrition guide as part of its effort to provide consumers with more information about its cereals.
Production Changes Begin Later This Year
The company said manufacturing of the new recipes will begin later in 2026, with reformulated cereals expected to begin shipping to retailers before the end of the year.
WK Kellogg said the transition is intended to respond to consumer demand for simpler, recognizable ingredients while maintaining the characteristics associated with its established cereal brands.
Chief Operating Officer Jean-Baptiste Santoul said completing the transition a year earlier than originally planned represents another step in the company’s efforts to adapt its products and packaging to changing consumer preferences.
Business Impact Remains Undisclosed
The accelerated reformulation represents a company-wide manufacturing and product-development change rather than an adjustment limited to individual cereal brands.
WK Kellogg said it has invested in manufacturing facilities to enable the transition at scale, but its announcement did not disclose the amount of that investment. It also did not provide expected financial effects, including potential changes in production costs, sales or consumer prices.
For consumers, the most visible change will be the replacement of artificial colors with colors derived from natural sources across WK Kellogg’s cereal portfolio, while the company says the products will retain their familiar appearance and taste.
This report is based on information released by WK Kellogg Co.
Primary source: WK Kellogg Co newsroom announcement — Aug. 6, 2026
