Kraft Heinz Kickin' Artificial Dyes to the Curb
Kraft Heinz plans to eliminate artificial colorants from its American product line by the close of 2027.
That's right, folks! Your favorite snack giant, Kraft Heinz, is ditching artificial dyes from their products by the end of 2027. No more Vibrant Voodoo Red #3 or neon Neon Yellows gracing our groceries aisles!
Approximately 10% of their U.S. items currently sport these synthetic hues, with products like Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, MiO, Jell-O, and Jet-Puffed strutting their stuff in these eye-catching dyes. But fear not, health-conscious consumers! The remaining 90% of their products are already dye-free.
Kraft Heinz shook off artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors from their Kraft macaroni and cheese back in 2016, and their flagship Heinz ketchup has never been too keen on artificial dyes. Pedro Navio, North America president at Kraft Heinz, shared that the decision was made with a focus on providing nutritious, affordable, and tasty food for all Americans.
This move comes as a response to pressure from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been advocating for the food industry to shun artificial dyes as part of a larger health initiative. In April 2021, the FDA announced a plan to phase out the use of petroleum-based, synthetic dyes by the end of the following year, replacing them with natural alternatives.
The FDA has been on a mission to eliminate dyes deemed harmful, such as Red No. 3 and several others, from food and drugs since January 2020, when it banned their use. The state of California banned Red No. 3 in 2023, adding to the pressure on the industry.
Kraft Heinz isn't the only food titan feeling the squeeze. Companies like General Mills, PepsiCo, WK Kellogg, Tyson Foods, and J.M. Smucker may also be looking to shake up their product lines to conform with emerging health trends. But, as of mid-2025, no specific commitments or timelines have been announced by these companies.
With Kraft Heinz leading the charge, it's time to bid farewell to those artificial hues and embrace a more natural/less artificial future. Bye-bye, artificial dyes! Welcome, natural colors and clean labels!
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- As Kraft Heinz moves to eradicate artificial dyes from their products by 2027, the economy may experience a shift in demand for natural color alternatives in the food-and-drink industry.
- The decision to phase out artificial dyes in Kraft Heinz's portfolio could influence other companies, such as General Mills, PepsiCo, WK Kellogg, Tyson Foods, and J.M. Smucker, to reconsider their use of synthetic dyes in their stocks.
- Health-and-wellness awareness and lifestyle choices may drive consumers towards brands that offer natural colorings, eventually impacting the sales and market share of products with artificial dyes.
- Interest rates could potentially remain stable as the shift to natural dyes in the food-and-beverage sector may have minimal immediate impact on employment levels, inflation, or other key economic indicators.
- The science behind developing sustainable, natural alternatives to artificial dyes might see increased focus in the research and development sector, leading to new innovations in nutrition and therapies-and-treatments for a variety of applications beyond food-and-drink.
