In-N-Out Begins Removing Synthetic Food Dyes, Upgrading Ingredients

In-N-Out Burger is making significant menu changes by removing artificial food dyes from its strawberry shakes and signature pink lemonade, replacing them with natural colorings, and upgrading its ketchup to use real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. These changes align with recent FDA and Health and Human Services initiatives to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply by the end of 2026, with some dyes targeted for quicker removal. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have emphasized the health risks posed by synthetic dyes, especially to children, linking them to diabetes, obesity, and other health issues. The phased changes reflect In-N-Out's commitment to providing higher-quality ingredients and preemptively responding to regulatory pressure. While some customers praised the move toward healthier ingredients, others questioned why the chain did not make these changes sooner. Overall, In-N-Out's adjustments are part of a broader industry shift toward natural ingredients amid growing public and governmental concern over artificial additives.