Today’s Solutions: February 23, 2026

Artificial colorings, widely used in packaged food, are increasingly being replaced  by natural colorings. Spurred by a 2007 study in The Lancet linking synthetic colors with hyperactivity in children, food companies are learning to work with plant-based colors, derived from a variety of fruits and vegetables. If these companies hold their promise, we won’t see artificial colorings next year in Kraft’s classic macaroni and cheese, Panera Bread products, General Mills’ cereals, and Nestle’s chocolate candy products. This story from NPR looks into the trend and the making of natural colors. (And, yes, this cake’s icing is made from red cabbage juice, turmeric, annatto, beet juice, and caramel color.)

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Yangtze River sees major ecological recovery after China’s fishing ban

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM After decades of ecological decline, China’s Yangtze River, Asia’s longest and one of the most degraded waterways in ...

Read More

10 brain-boosting hobbies for older adults that help keep the brain and body ...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Many people yearn for the golden years of retirement, where the grind often slows down, and we have ...

Read More

Navigating counteroffers: a complete guide to making the right career move

Starting a job search is like stepping onto a carousel of potential opportunities. Once you secure that amazing new job offer, the excitement is palpable. But what if, just ...

Read More

Are holiday tunes good for your health? Here’s what science says

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Love it or hate it, Christmas music is an inescapable part of the holiday season. For some, it’s ...

Read More