I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! But what if it tasted different? What if the next time you took a bite into your favorite Ben and Jerry's flavor, it didn't taste like how you remember it?

That's because the ingredients in ice cream are about to change.

"Make America Healthy Again"

Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr took his role as the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, he has pledged to "Make America Healthy Again". One of his most significant changes has been fighting for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to stop using petroleum-based synthetic dye in the country's food.

As of January 2025, Red Dye 3 has been banned in the United States from food and pharmaceuticals due to its potential carcinogenic effects in animals. AKA having the potential to cause cancer.

And it's not just Red Dye 3 that's being targeted - it's all petroleum-based synthetic dye. As a result, at least 40 ice cream producers have pledged to remove Red Dye 3 from their ice creams, along with Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. These dyes are to be removed only from ice creams made with dairy milk and sold at grocery or convenience stores. This change would take into effect by the end of 2027.

Before you start stockpiling on all your favorite ice cream before the change takes into effect, let's talk about why these ingredients are at risk of being eliminated.

The Dangers of Synthetic Dyes in Food

Petroleum-based synthetic dyes aren't just about making your ice cream look more fun and vibrant - they also come with a long list of health risks.

Red Dye 3, which has already been banned, has been shown to cause cancer. And other popular dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 have been associated with hyperactivity and behavioral issues in children. They can also potentially cause allergic reactions in sensitive people.

Beyond that, many synthetic dyes are made from petroleum byproducts, which have raised some red flags. Studies suggest these dyes over time can cause inflammation, disrupt gut health, and affect hormone balance.

While the FDA still considers these dyes still "safe in limited quantities", growing evidence and heavy restrictions in places like Europe and Canada suggest the risk might not be worth the colorful reward.

What Will Replace the Dyes?

So will those bright colors disappear from your ice cream altogether? Not necessarily. But they will be replaced with colors from natural sources - and they're already gaining approval from the FDA.

For example, a new blue dye made from crushed Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit has recently been approved as a safe, plant-based alternative. To replace the red dye, ice cream producers will be using watermelon or beet juice. And to achieve orange or peach tones, carrot juice is being recommended.

These alternatives will still give your ice cream some color, but they might look subtly different - like less neon.

Will Ice Cream Taste Different?

This is the question on everyone's minds - is this change going to affect the taste of my favorite ice cream flavor? The short answer is: not really. Certain juices, such as beet or carrot, can taste slightly earthy or vegetal, but the flavors should be minimized enough to not know the difference.

Although ice cream is changing, it might be for the better. Your favorite ice cream will still be on the shelf, it'll just be slightly healthier.