Kraft Heinz Shifts Towards Natural Ingredients by Eliminating Chemical Colorants

Kraft Heinz recently shared plans to eliminate all chemical dyes from its products by the end of 2027.

As reported by the New York Times, this change will impact roughly 10% of their sales portfolio, which includes popular items like Kool-Aid, Jell-O, and Crystal Light—products that frequently enough contain artificial colors such as Red No. 40 and Blue No. 1.

In a related progress, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who heads the Department of Health and Human Services, mentioned in April that he had come to an agreement with food producers to phase out these artificial dyes by 2026. The Times noted that Kraft Heinz is leading the charge among major food brands in making this commitment.

The potential health implications of these dyes have raised eyebrows; some research suggests they may be linked to behavioral issues in children and even cancer risks in animals, hinting at possible effects on humans as well.

Kraft Heinz’s North America president, Pedro Navio, highlighted that they already removed artificial colors from their Kraft macaroni and cheese back in 2016 and pointed out that their iconic Heinz tomato ketchup has never included synthetic dyes at all, according to ABC News.

“With over 150 years of history behind us,” Navio stated, “we’re always refining our recipes and product lines to ensure we meet consumer expectations.” He emphasized their ongoing journey toward minimizing FD&C color usage across more products while prioritizing nutritious options for American families—a responsibility they take seriously.”