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Whole Foods Touts Food-Coloring Ban

In light of increased public awareness of artificial food dyes sparked by Food and Drug Administration hearings, Whole Foods Market issued a reminder that it has prohibited artificial food colorings since the 1980s.

AUSTIN, Texas — In light of increased public awareness of artificial food dyes sparked by Food and Drug Administration hearings this week, Whole Foods Market here issued a reminder that it has prohibited artificial food colorings since the 1980s.

Whole Foods Market offers products that are free of artificial colorings, as well as artificial sweeteners, preservatives, hydrogenated fats and other additives in the company's 304 stores, officials pointed out.

"Our quality standards prohibit artificial colors because of our deep commitment to selling the highest quality natural and organic foods," said Joe Dickson, global quality standards coordinator, in a statement. "Our shoppers rely on us to set high standards so they can shop with peace of mind, and artificial colors are not consistent with our vision for natural and organic food."