Kraft Heinz, a major player in the food and beverage industry, announced on Tuesday that it will eliminate artificial dyes from its products sold in the United States by 2027 and will refrain from introducing new products that contain such additives.
“With a history spanning over 150 years, we are constantly refining our recipes and offerings to better serve our consumers and customers,” the company stated, adding that “most of our products already utilize natural or no coloring at all.”
Affected foods
This transition will impact around 10% of Kraft Heinz’s current product lineup, prominently affecting their brightly colored Kool-Aid drink mixes and the gel-based flavoring dessert mixes.
Nonetheless, many well-loved products remain unaffected. For instance, Kraft Mac & Cheese has not included artificial colors for nearly ten years, and Heinz Tomato Ketchup has always avoided synthetic dyes, using tomatoes and spices to achieve its rich hue instead.
The company’s “three-step strategy” focuses on phasing out unnecessary color additives, substituting artificial colors with natural alternatives, and introducing new shades when current colors can’t be replicated naturally.
What prompted change?
This shift aligns with a growing public aversion to artificial food dyes, which have been both accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a long time and criticized by various officials, particularly during the Trump administration.
A recent survey by Consumer Research Group Citizen Science revealed that 67% of U.S. adults expressed concern about food dyes. Several states have also begun to ban specific food coloring agents.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other officials have been advocating for the reduction of oil-based artificial colors since April.
The FDA Commissioner, Marty McCurry, mentioned research implicating synthetic food dyes in unhealthy eating habits among children, arguing that vibrant food colors can make ultra-processed foods more appealing, even when a child isn’t hungry.
“Studies show a direct correlation between food color and obesity and diabetes,” he noted.
Kennedy, a long-time opponent of food additives, believes companies are responding to the administration’s calls for change.
“Food dyes are just simple components,” he expressed. “We’re pleased with the industry’s response. I think they’re ready for a shift.”
Kraft Heinz is reportedly exploring more natural alternatives for colorings, as it navigates the transition away from FD&C dyes in other offerings.
“Ultimately, our priority is to offer Americans nutritious, affordable food, and we value this responsibility,” an executive stated.
