Shares of Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFMI) touched a new 52-week high of $66.87 on Friday. The stock has been moving on the upward trend from the past month.

In a regulatory filing on Friday, the company said its board of directors has declared a dividend of 10 cents a share, payable on April 22 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 12.

On Wednesday, the company said that in light of increased public awareness of and FDA hearings this week about artificial food dyes, it reminds shoppers that its strict quality standards have prohibited artificial food colorings since the 1980s.

The Austin, Texas-headquartered Whole Foods Market said it offers products that are not only free of artificial colorings, but also free of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, hydrogenated fats and other prohibited additives in the company's 304 stores.

Our quality standards prohibit artificial colors because of our deep commitment to selling the highest quality natural and organic foods. Our shoppers rely on us to set high standards so they can shop with peace of mind, and artificial colors are not consistent with our vision for natural and organic food, said Joe Dickson, global quality standards coordinator.

Whole Foods Market stock gapped open sharply higher April 1 at $66.44 compared to previous day's close of $65.90. The stock touched a new high of $66.87 on Friday. The stock closed Friday's regular trading up 1.26 percent at $66.73 on a volume of 1.21 million shares on the NASDAQ Stock Market. The stock traded between $33.96 and $66.87 during the past 52 weeks.

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