Intellectual Property Insights from Fishman Stewart
Mini Article – Volume 25, Issue 19
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School Lunches Look Different This Year
By Kristyn Webb
As students head back to school across the United States, many will notice changes to the cafeteria menu. The federal government has begun phasing out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes, a shift announced by the FDA earlier this year. These additives, long used to make cereals glow neon or candies shimmer, are increasingly linked to health concerns and are now following the path of restrictions already in place across Europe and other markets.
It may be surprising to learn just how many foods and products rely on dyes beyond candy. Orange juice is often adjusted for consistent brightness, salad dressings are fine-tuned for color, spice blends are enhanced to look more vivid, and even medications—from gel capsules to children’s syrups—depend on synthetic hues to match consumer expectations.
To keep shelves colorful, companies are turning to natural alternatives. Beets can deliver compounds that brown under heat to mimic grilled meat, turmeric provides a bright yellow, spirulina produces a striking blue-green, and squid ink has been used for deep black. These ingredients bring challenges—some fade under light, others break down at high temperatures. Food scientists are innovating to make them more stable, and use intellectual property laws to protect novel pigments, and the methods to extract, preserve, and apply them in food manufacturing.
Because many global markets already require dye-free formulas, U.S. manufacturers may find the transition smoother than expected, drawing on recipes already developed abroad. For kids heading back to school, they may see less dye and more design on their lunch trays.
Kristyn Webb is an Associate at Fishman Stewart advises clients on various aspects of intellectual property law including copyright registration and enforcement, Copyright Claims Board proceedings, DMCA notices, online takedown processes, and Customs and Border Protection registration.
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