Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is taking a bold step towards a healthier ice cream experience for its customers. The ice cream shop, owned by Haley King, has been working tirelessly to eliminate synthetic food dyes from its products. This decision was not taken lightly, but rather, it was driven by King’s concern for the well-being of her family and her customers. King explained that the decision to go dye-free was motivated by her family’s experiences with artificial food dyes. She stated that many of their family members had noticed a change in behavior and health after consuming products containing these dyes. This led King to take action and ensure that her ice cream products were free from these harmful substances.
Dye-Free Flavors at Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream
Currently, around 150 of the nearly 200 flavors of ice cream offered by Stella’s are free from synthetic food dyes. Some of the popular flavors that do not contain artificial dyes include:
- Chocolate peanut butter
- Salted caramel
- Toasted coconut
- Peanut butter oreo
- Chunky road
- Butter pecan
These flavors are made with natural ingredients and do not contain any artificial colorings. King emphasized that the decision to eliminate synthetic dyes was not just about health, but also about providing a better experience for her customers.
The Impact of Synthetic Food Dyes
Synthetic food dyes have been linked to various health issues, including hyperactivity, food sensitivity, and even cancer. Dr. Jilian Sansbury, a doctor at Grand Strand Medical Center, explained that the side effects of these dyes are not well-researched and that they can have severe consequences on human health.
“A lot of these things are not natural. They come from a scientific lab somewhere and a lot of these things that are added to our foods, we really don’t have a great understanding of the kind of secondary effects,”
Sansbury emphasized the importance of re-examining the use of synthetic food dyes in our food products. She stated that as research develops, so should our conversations around the safety of these substances.
A Call to Action
King encouraged her customers to take an active role in making informed decisions about their food choices. She emphasized the importance of reading labels and looking for natural ingredients. She stated that it’s essential to be aware of the ingredients in our food products and to make choices that align with our values.
- Do your own research and learn about the ingredients in your food products.
- Look for natural ingredients and avoid products with synthetic dyes.
- Support businesses that prioritize health and sustainability.
By taking these steps, we can create a healthier and more sustainable food system. King’s decision to eliminate synthetic food dyes from her ice cream products is just the beginning. It’s a call to action for all of us to take control of our food choices and to demand better from the food industry.
A New Era in Food Production
King’s commitment to using natural food dye alternatives is a step in the right direction. She recently discovered that she can use the same natural food dye alternatives on her cakes, which has opened up new possibilities for her bakery. This shift towards natural ingredients and sustainable food production is a positive trend that we should all be supporting.
A Message from Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream
Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream is dedicated to providing healthy and delicious ice cream options to its customers. King stated that she is proud to be part of a movement that prioritizes health and sustainability. She encouraged her customers to join her on this journey and to support businesses that share her values.
