Kraft Heinz Will Remove Food Coloring from Products, Meeting RFK Jr.’s Demands 

Kraft Heinz to Eliminate Synthetic Food Coloring from Products, Responding to RFK Jr.’s Request

In a bold move, Kraft Heinz has announced its decision to remove all artificial food dyes from its products by the end of 2027. This initiative comes in response to a recent plea made by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary to prohibit the use of synthetic dyes in food items. The company disclosed that the vast majority, “nearly 90 percent”, of its current products already do not contain any artificial dyes. The affected products primarily include desserts and beverage mixes.

Kraft Heinz, the renowned food giant, has taken a proactive approach by declaring that it will gradually phase out the use of food coloring in its offerings and refrain from introducing any new items containing such dyes. The decision aligns with the recent governmental push to eliminate synthetic food dyes. The company highlighted in a statement on June 17th that most of its U.S. products, approximately 90%, are already free from Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colors. For those products still utilizing artificial dyes, Kraft Heinz has committed to eliminating them entirely within the next six years.

According to reports, in April, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary put forth plans to ban the use of artificial food dyes, citing concerns regarding the adverse impact on children’s health. Kennedy has been vocal about the potential dangers of these synthetic dyes, referring to them as a threat that has been allowed to harm children on a large scale. Despite ongoing discussions with food manufacturers, there has been no official injunction on artificial food dyes. The FDA released a statement in April indicating a plan to revoke authorization for certain dyes, albeit with a phased-out approach.

Registered dietician, Dr. Jessica Knurick, underlined that some of the specific dyes mentioned for removal, such as citrus red #2 and orange B, are no longer commonly used except in rare circumstances. However, Kraft Heinz’s recent commitment goes beyond mere elimination, as the company vowed to either remove non-essential colors, substitute artificial dyes with natural alternatives, or develop new coloring options where natural replacements are not feasible. This comprehensive strategy is aimed at improving the overall nutritional profile of their products.

Pedro Navio, the North America President at Kraft Heinz, emphasised the existing dye-free status of key products like Kraft Mac & Cheese and Heinz Tomato Ketchup. Notably, these flagship items do not contain any artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. The company’s forthcoming changes will affect popular items such as Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, Jell-O, and Jet-Puffed Marshmallows. By undertaking this significant shift, Kraft Heinz continues to demonstrate its commitment to offering healthier and more transparent food choices to consumers, aligning with evolving preferences for natural ingredients.

As the food industry continues to adapt to changing consumer demands and regulatory pressures, Kraft Heinz’s decision to remove artificial colors from its products marks a significant milestone. The company’s proactive approach not only addresses health concerns associated with synthetic dyes but also reflects a broader industry trend towards cleaner and more wholesome food options. Looking ahead, consumers can expect to see a gradual transition towards more natural and transparent ingredients in Kraft Heinz’s diverse product portfolio, setting a positive example for the food manufacturing sector as a whole.