Kraft Heinz to Eliminate Artificial food Dyes by 2027

Kraft Heinz, a major food and beverage company known for products like Kraft Mac and Cheese, Heinz ketchup, Kool-Aid, and Jell-O, has announced it will eliminate all artificial food dyes from its product lines in the United States by the close of 2027.

In a press release dated June 17,the company stated that nearly 90% of its products are already free of Food,Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colors,also known as artificial or synthetic food dyes. The remaining 10% will be reformulated, and the company will cease launching any new products containing these dyes instantly.

Did You Know?

The global natural food colors market is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2028, driven by increasing consumer demand for clean-label products. Global Market Insights

These FD&C dyes are currently permitted for use in food and beverage products under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.However, in April, Health Secretary robert F. kennedy Jr. indicated that the agency is considering revoking approval for at least eight “petroleum-based synthetic dyes” in favor of “natural alternatives.”

Kraft Heinz plans to replace the dyes with natural alternatives or “reinvent” new colors and shades for products where direct natural replacements are not feasible.

“As a food company with a 150+ year heritage, we are continuously evolving our recipes, products, and portfolio to deliver superiority to consumers and customers,” said Pedro Navio, North America President at Kraft Heinz. “The vast majority of our products use natural or no colors,and we’ve been on a journey to reduce our use of FD&C colors across the remainder of our portfolio.”

Kennedy praised the decision in a June 17 post on X, formerly Twitter, noting that this “voluntary step” will phase out “harmful dyes” in brands like Kool-Aid, Jell-O, and Crystal Light.

FDA Considers banning Artificial Food dyes

The FDA announced on April 22 that it intends to “phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation’s food supply” by the end of 2026.These dyes were previously allowed under FDA regulations.

The additives under scrutiny include Red Dye 40, Yellow Dye 5, Yellow dye 6, Blue Dye 1, Blue Dye 2, Green Dye 3, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B.

No formal legislation has been enacted to officially ban these substances. Instead, HHS and the FDA have a “mutual understanding” with the food industry that the dyes will be progressively removed, according to Kennedy.

During an April 22 press conference,FDA commissioner Marty Makary stated that the agency plans to revoke approval for some dyes and collaborate with industry leaders to substitute petrochemical dyes with “natural” alternatives. A press statement from the FDA also indicated plans to establish a “national standard and timeline for the transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.”

The FDA will authorize four new natural color additives and expedite the approval of others,according to its statement. the agency will also partner with the National Institutes of Health to research the effects of food additives on children’s health and progress.

Other Companies Commit to Eliminating Artificial Dyes

Several major food and beverage companies have recently announced plans to remove artificial ingredients following the HHS announcement.

During an April 24 earnings call, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company’s transition away from artificial colors was underway, with over 60 percent of its business already compliant. Brands like Lays, Doritos, and Tostitos will cease using artificial colors by the end of the year.

Tyson Foods made a similar commitment in May, stating it was “proactively reformulating” products to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes by the end of the month. Mars, Inc., the producer of Skittles, also announced in late May that it would remove titanium dioxide from the colorful candy.

Disclaimer: This article provides general details and should not be considered medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

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