The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services have scored a massive win as part of the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
Specifically, food giant Kraft Heinz is finally removing harmful artificial dyes from their products by 2027.
This long-overdue decision comes as the FDA pushes to eliminate dyes that many families have been fighting against for years.
Roughly 10% of Kraft Heinz’s U.S. products currently contain artificial FD&C colors, including popular items like Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, MiO, Jell-O, and Jet-Puffed marshmallows.
The company has pledged not only to remove these synthetic dyes from existing products but also committed to not launching any new products containing these questionable colorants.
The food giant emphasizes its dedication to nutritious, affordable, and, most importantly, great-tasting food.
This is not Kraft Heinz’s first step toward cleaner ingredients. In 2016, the company removed artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors from its iconic Kraft macaroni and cheese.
Meanwhile, Heinz ketchup has always avoided artificial dyes, a testament to the company’s commitment over the years.
The timing of this announcement aligns with increasing pressure from federal agencies.
According to industry sources, the FDA plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes by the end of next year, including notorious additives like red dye 40 and yellow dye 5.
Behind the scenes, there appears to be an informal understanding between the FDA and the food industry to remove these artificial dyes.
This arrangement was reportedly discussed during a meeting with top food executives.
Kraft Heinz claims to have made over 1,000 recipe changes in the past five years to improve product nutrition, emphasizing a commitment to providing nutritious, affordable, and great-tasting food.
The FDA’s stance is expected to pressure other companies within the industry to also adopt this change.
As the reformulation progresses, consumers have reason to hope for better alternatives in their favorite foods and drinks.
Kraft Heinz’s promise speaks to a growing awareness of healthier ingredients as better choices for American families.
However, some consumers are left wondering why it is taking until 2027 to fully implement these changes.
