In-N-Out Burger is making notable changes to its menu in a move toward cleaner, more natural ingredients, the California-based fast-food chain announced Wednesday, as per Fox News.
The company has removed artificial coloring from two of its popular beverages — Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade — as part of a broader commitment to ingredient transparency and health-conscious improvements.
“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,” spokesperson Patty Pena confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital.
While the company did not specify which synthetic dyes were removed, the change aligns with recent national developments surrounding food additives.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the American food supply, citing growing health concerns. These dyes are widely used in cereals, snacks, beverages, and other products, especially those marketed toward children.
In response, the FDA recently approved three natural alternatives for food coloring: Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and calcium phosphate.
In addition to beverage reformulations, In-N-Out is also upgrading one of its staple condiments. The chain is transitioning to a new ketchup recipe made with real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
“We’re also in the process of transitioning to an upgraded ketchup, which is made with real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup,” said Pena.
The change comes amid renewed public scrutiny of HFCS, a processed sweetener derived from corn starch. Critics, including certified nutritionist Courtney Swan of Realfoodology, have labeled it an “ultraprocessed” sugar with questionable nutritional value.
During the HHS announcement of the synthetic dye ban, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also criticized excessive sugar consumption.
“Sugar is poison,” Kennedy said. “And Americans need to know that it is poisoning us.”
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