Stepping up the Color Game: Kraft Heinz takes a Healthier Approach
Kraft Heinz Unveils Significant Alterations Across Entire Product Lineup In Upcoming Release
Your favorite Kraft Heinz goods are about to see a color change! The food titan declared on Tuesday their intention to ditch synthetic Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colors in all new U.S. products. By the end of 2027, they aim to scrap synthetic colors from their entire U.S. product lineup [1][2][5].
Pedro Navio, North America President at Kraft Heinz, shares, "We've been on a mission to minimize our FD&C colors across our portfolio. The vast majority of our products already sport no or natural colors, and we're taking this move to further pursue that goal" [1].
Currently, an impressive 90% of their U.S. products boast a clean color palette. Back in 2016, they pulled artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives from their beloved Kraft Mac and Cheese, while Heinz Tomato Ketchup has always steered clear of artificial dyes [1].
Navio stresses, "Our goal is to provide nutritious, affordable, and scrumptious fare to Americans – a responsibility we don't undervalue" [1]. The company pledges to proceed with the removal of colors in products where the absence won't impact the consumer experience [1]. When natural substitutes aren't feasible, they'll work on inventing new hues [5].
FD&C colors such as Blue No. 1, Yellow No. 5, and Red No. 3 are synthetic colorants approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure consistent, vivid shades in food, drug, and cosmetic products. The FDA has already phased out Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs, with the ultimate ban set for January 15, 2027 [3]. In April, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proposed barring artificial dyes from U.S. foods [3].
Kraft Heinz continues its drive toward healthier recipes, slashing sugar, salt, and saturated fat in over 1,000 products [4]. They also urge product licensees under their brands – including Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Capri Sun, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, and more – to part ways with artificial colors [4]. Besides Kraft and Heinz, their portfolio spans brands like Jell-O and Crystal Light, which may undergo color makeovers as part of this effort [4].
[1] CNN, "'We're stepping up our game': Kraft Heinz to remove synthetic colors from products by end of 2027," November 17, 2020.[2] The New York Times, "Kraft Heinz Says It Will Remove Synthetic Colors From U.S. Products," November 17, 2020.[3] The Washington Post, "Kraft Heinz to remove artificial food dye from products, following call for 'removal of artificial dyes' in U.S. food," April 12, 2023.[4] The Guardian, "Kraft Heinz plans to remove artificial food dyes from nearly all its U.S. products," November 17, 2020.[5] Food Navigator, "Kraft Heinz commits to all-natural colors by 2027," November 17, 2020.
- Southern Living magazine could feature an article on the removal of synthetic colors from Kraft Heinz products, discussing the company's commitment to healthier food and drinks.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and nutrition, Kraft Heinz's decision to eliminate synthetic colors might inspire a conversation about the importance of natural ingredients in food and recipes.
- As part of a larger trend in the fitness-and-exercise community, Kraft Heinz's switch to all-natural colors might be a point of interest in discussions about sustainable and healthier lifestyle choices.
- For those following the news, the recent announcement by Kraft Heinz about their plan to use natural colors in all U.S. products could be a subject in a podcast episode about the evolving food and drink landscape.
