Kids' Popsicles Now Have a New Ingredient-Parents May Not Want to Say What
Parents stocking up on freezer treats ahead of warmer weather may notice something different about a familiar staple: kids' Popsicles are changing what gives them their bright colors.
Ziegenfelder's popular Twin Pops, made in Wheeling, West Virginia, are getting a new, more natural look as the company phases out synthetic food dyes in favor of colorings derived from fruits and vegetables.
While the frozen treats still come in the same rainbow of reds, blues and greens, the hues now come from ingredients such as radishes and spirulina rather than artificial dyes.
That shift from ultra-processed foods to vegetables may be welcome news for many parents-but it's one detail children themselves might not be eager to hear, particularly when vegetables are involved.
The transition reflects a broader effort by the company to modernize its products without altering what families already enjoy.
“For years, we've been committed to evolving our products to meet the needs of today's families,” said Kevin Heller, president of The Ziegenfelder Company, in a press release. “Transitioning to colors from natural sources is a major milestone in that journey, and we've worked hard to ensure the great taste and value our consumers expect remain unchanged.”
The naturally colored Twin Pops began appearing in some local stores at the start of the year, with a national rollout planned for early April, and complete the transition by Memorial Day.
The move to eliminate artificial colors has been a multiyear effort, requiring substantial product development to ensure consistency at scale. Natural colorings often require higher usage rates and more-complex sourcing, making the transition one of the most-significant cost investments in the company's history.
Despite those costs, Ziegenfelder said it has resisted positioning the reformulated product as a premium option.
As a result, shoppers may see a slight price increase: the suggested retail price for a bag of Twin Pops is expected to rise from $3.78 to $3.99.
Visually, the Popsicles may appear a bit lighter than before, but they remain recognizable and are sold in the same clear packaging. Ziegenfelder's distinctive presentation is protected by a legal trade dress, which prevents competitors from selling rainbow-colored frozen pops in clear bags.
The company's transition comes as momentum builds across the food industry to move away from synthetic dyes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently issued guidance allowing products made with naturally derived colors to carry “no artificial colors” labeling claims, while federal agencies have outlined plans to phase out synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply in the coming years.
While naturally sourced colors can produce softer hues, Heller said that the change does not affect flavor.
“Color and flavor are delivered through separate ingredients, and we've taken great care to ensure this does not impact the taste or overall eating experience,” he said. “Our color ingredients have changed, but our flavor ingredients have remained the same.”
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This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 3:09 AM.