ABA pledge commits to FD&C removal from K-12 schools

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ABA pledge commits to FD&C removal from K-12 schools

26 Aug 2025

Annie Hollon

Annie Hollon is a journalist, copywriter and social media strategist from the Dallas, Texas area. She found a love for magazine writing during her time at the University of Alabama where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in public relations and English. Beyond writing, you can find her expanding her library, attempting to teach herself the guitar and trying new hobbies.

WASHINGTON, DC — With recent regulations from the FDA encouraging food manufacturers to phase out FD&C colors, various members of the baking industry have pledged to quell synthetic dyes ahead of the 2026 deadline.

Strengthening this effort, the American Bakers Association (ABA) announced the “Baked Goods in Schools Pledge.” This voluntary industry-wide commitment pushes to eliminate the use of these ingredients in all baked goods provided to K-12 schools through the National School Breakfast, Lunch, and Competitive Foods Programs by the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.

“Today’s announcement reinforces our industry’s commitment to being a partner to schools and families nationwide by continuing to remove certified FD&C colors from the baked products in our nation’s schools,” said Eric Dell, president and CEO of ABA.

Nearly 83% of applicable ABA member companies have already removed FD&C colors, with another 13% committing to the association’s pledge.

“Today’s announcement reinforces our industry’s commitment to being a partner to schools and families nationwide by continuing to remove certified FD&C colors from the baked products in our nation’s schools.” — Eric Dell | president and CEO | American Bakers Association

At the time of publication, at least 96% of school-serving ABA member companies have the ability to meet this commitment by the 2026-27 school year deadline. The association will work alongside its member companies to help achieve this objective in a timely manner.

“By uniting around this pledge, our members are going beyond what’s required and responding to evolving consumer expectations,” Dell said.

ABA’s latest initiative is indicative of the commercial baking industry’s ceaseless commitment to providing high-quality baked goods for consumers nationwide.

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