Jason's Deli Removes Artificial Dyes From Foods on Its Menu

Jason's Deli, a nationwide chain of deli restaurants with about 200 locations, has announced that they are removing all artificial colors and dyes from foods they offer on their menu. Citing possible health concerns for children, Jason's Deli executive vice president Rusty Coco made the announcement through video posted on his blog April 5th.

According to Coco, the reason these dyes first came to his attention as a potential concern occurred during a speech he gave about healthy eating. During a question-and-answer session, Alissa Magrum, the mother of a child with an artificial food dye allergy, asked the Jason's Deli executive about the presence of such colorings in his food. He couldn't answer at the time, but began to research the potential implications.

According to Coco, "When we looked into [artificial dyes in our menu], in our opinion, it was ubiquitous in that it served no real nutritional purpose, so we got them out."

Some of the foods on the deli menu that included such artificial dyes were the free lollipops, ice cream cones, the macaroni and cheese for children, and chocolate mousse.

Some studies have suggested that synthetic dyes, which are subject to FDA certification, may be linked with ADHD and other behavioral issues in children. The decision to remove these dyes from menu offerings is the latest in a continuing effort designed to ensure the highest quality food for consumers. Previous initiatives have included the removal of artificial trans fats, msg, and high fructose corn syrup in all foods. The Jason's Deli menu has been artificial trans-fats-free for over five years, while high fructose corn syrup has been absent from their foods since 2008.

About Jason's Deli

Founded in 1976 in Beaumont, Texas, Jason's Deli is a restaurant chain with approximately 200 locations spread across 25 states. As a deli-style restaurant, much of the menu focuses on sandwiches, including po'boys and muffalettas. However, a diverse range of other options are available, which include salads, soups, pasta, and spuds. Jason's Deli remains committed to making its food healthy and natural-the way it used to be.