Kraft Heinz Announces Plan to Remove Artificial Dyes from U.S. Products by 2027
In a significant move towards healthier food options, Kraft Heinz has revealed its decision to eliminate artificial dyes from its U.S. products by the end of 2027. This decision follows the recommendation made by U.S. health officials to phase out petroleum-based artificial colors from the nation’s food supply.
Currently, almost 90% of Kraft Heinz’s U.S. products do not contain food, drug, and cosmetic colors. However, the remaining products that still use artificial dyes will undergo a transition to natural colors by the designated timeline. These FD&C colors, synthetic additives approved by the FDA for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics, are predominantly present in the company’s beverage and desserts categories, including popular brands like Crystal Light, Kool Aid, Jell-O, and Jet Puffed.
Pedro Navio, North America President at Kraft Heinz, expressed the company’s commitment to reducing the use of artificial colors across its product portfolio. Kraft Heinz has a history of removing artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives from its products, such as macaroni and cheese, back in 2016. Notably, the company has never used artificial dyes in its ketchup.
To facilitate this transition, Kraft Heinz plans to collaborate with licensees of its brands to encourage them to also eliminate artificial dyes from their products. This initiative aligns with the FDA’s announcement to eliminate synthetic dyes from food by the end of 2026, relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry.
Health advocates have long advocated for the removal of artificial dyes from foods, citing studies linking these additives to neurobehavioral issues in children. While the FDA maintains the safety of approved dyes, the agency has taken steps to ban Red 3, a dye linked to cancer in laboratory rats, from food products by 2027.
In countries like Canada and Europe, where synthetic colors require warning labels, manufacturers predominantly use natural substitutes. Several U.S. states have also implemented laws restricting the use of artificial colors in foods, prompting food companies to reformulate their products using natural alternatives like beets, algae, and plant-based pigments.
As Kraft Heinz embarks on this journey to enhance the nutritional quality of its products, the shift towards natural colors signifies a broader industry trend towards healthier and more transparent food options.
