J.M. Smucker to remove artificial colors from all food products

ORRVILLE, Ohio - J.M. Smucker Co. (NYSE:SJM) announced Thursday it will eliminate FD&C artificial colors from its entire consumer food product lineup by the end of 2027.

The initiative will primarily affect the company’s sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and certain products in its Hostess brand portfolio, as most of Smucker’s consumer foods are already free of these artificial colors. The move comes as the company, which has maintained dividend payments for 55 consecutive years, continues to adapt to changing consumer preferences.

Smucker also plans to cease selling products containing FD&C colors to K-12 schools by the 2026/2027 school year, working with distribution partners to implement this change. The majority of its current school offerings already exclude these artificial colors.

"Our commitment to remove FD&C colors from our sugar-free fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, and sweet baked goods products represents the latest example of our desire to evolve," said Mark Smucker, CEO and Board Chair, in the press release.

This move follows previous product reformulations by the company, including the removal of high-fructose corn syrup from its Uncrustables sandwiches and the introduction of fruit spreads with all-natural ingredients and reduced sugar options.

John Brase, President and Chief Operating Officer, stated that the company’s teams are working on reformulation plans while evaluating supply considerations to maintain product quality.

Smucker, a 128-year-old company, leads in several food categories including coffee, peanut butter, fruit spreads, and pet food with brands such as Folgers, Dunkin’, Jif, Uncrustables, and Milk-Bone.

The announcement was made in a company press release issued Thursday.

In other recent news, J.M. Smucker has reported several key developments affecting its financial outlook and stock ratings. The company delivered better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, attributed to stronger gross margins and reduced SG&A expenses, although organic sales growth was weaker. Despite this, the company’s fiscal year 2026 guidance disappointed investors, with earnings per share projections falling well short of analyst expectations. UBS lowered its price target to $115 while maintaining a Buy rating, citing conservative assumptions in the guidance. TD Cowen also reduced its price target to $105, maintaining a Hold rating due to challenges with the Hostess acquisition and the coffee segment. DA Davidson kept a Neutral rating with a $126 price target, noting significant headwinds and macroeconomic pressures. Bernstein and Stifel further lowered their price targets to $94 and $106, respectively, expressing concerns over the Hostess brand performance and coffee segment challenges. These recent developments indicate cautious investor sentiment as J.M. Smucker navigates its financial and operational hurdles.

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