McKee Foods, the company behind Little Debbie snacks, says it has removed Red Dye No. 3 from its products and plans to phase out additional synthetic colors in the coming years.

The company confirmed the change, saying the dye was removed ahead of any legal requirement.

They are now working to remove other certified colors by the end of 2027.

At the same time, McKee Foods emphasized that current ingredients are considered safe under federal guidelines.

“We stand behind the safety of our products,” said company spokesman Mike Gloekler, noting the FDA has reviewed and certified the dyes in question.

The move comes as pressure builds nationwide over synthetic food dyes.