RFK Jr WIN: In-and-Out ditches synthetic dyes for natural ones

Popular burger joint In-N-Out will be changing the ingredients to multiple items on its menu as the Department of Health and Human Services under Robert F Kennedy Jr is working to phase out some artificial food dyes by the end of 2026.

Per Nation’s Restaurant News, the restaurant will be replacing the artificial food dyes in its pink lemonade and strawberry syrup, and will be replacing its current ketchup that contains high-fructose corn syrup. 

After a fan account posted the news to social media, the chain said in a statement, "As part of our ongoing commitment to providing our customers with the highest-quality ingredients, we have removed artificial coloring from our Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade. We’re also in the process of transitioning to an upgraded ketchup, which is made with real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup."

The Department of Health announced in late April that petroleum-based synthetic dyes would be eliminated from foods and medicine in the country. In January, the agency announced that the Red 3 food dye would be eliminated in the coming years as well. The FDA has approved three natural food colorants to replace those being phased out: Galdieria blue, butterfly pea extract, and calcium phosphate. Additional natural food colorants are waiting for approval.

While high-fructose corn syrup has not been banned, Kennedy has said that he wants to "wean America off" the sweetener. 

This comes after fellow burger chain Steak ’n Shake said that its fries would be "RFK’d" and that all fries across the chain would be cooked in 100 percent beef tallow.