There's a growing trend among restaurant chains and grocers that are looking to move away from using additives and artificial ingredients in favor of more natural, healthy offerings.  

Chain bakery cafe Panera Bread is set to remove all artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives from its from items on its menu. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Chain bakery cafe Panera Bread is set to remove all artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives from its from items on its menu. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Panera Bread is the latest to opt away from additives, flavorings and colorings, joining the likes of Starbucks, Subway, Chipotle and other eateries. The challenge for many of these chains is often about getting their suppliers to conform and offer products that meet the healthier standards.

Some grocers are also moving toward natural ingredients. New Jersey nutrition expert Felicia Stoler said there's one sure way to take the "no artificial ingredients" concept home to your own kitchen.

"When you go to the grocery store and you're buying produce, there's no food label with it. There's no nutrition facts label when you buy fresh lettuce or when you're buying fresh fruits," Stoler said.

The idea is particularly attractive to millennials seeking a better, more healthy eating alternative. Consumer concerns about additives in their food has now surpassed their previous worries about nutritional ingredients such as sugar, sodium and calories.

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