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Kraft Heinz Joins Industry-Wide Shift Away From Artificial Food Dyes

In a major shift reflecting rising health consciousness and regulatory scrutiny, Kraft Heinz announced Tuesday that it will completely remove FD&C artificial dyes from its entire U.S. product lineup by the end of 2027. The company also confirmed it will not introduce any new products containing synthetic color additives in the U.S. market moving forward.

This move comes as mounting scientific evidence and growing public awareness link artificial food dyes to a range of health concerns, particularly in children. Synthetic dyes have long been criticized for their potential role in behavioral issues such as hyperactivity, as well as possible carcinogenic effects identified in animal studies.

According to a Kraft Heinz spokesperson, roughly 10% of the company's U.S. products currently use FD&C dyes. Affected household brands include:

• Crystal Light
• Kool-Aid
• MiO
• Jell-O
• Jet-Puffed

These products, often known for their vivid colors, will soon undergo reformulation as Kraft Heinz works to find natural alternatives that maintain the visual appeal consumers expect.

Government Pressure Sparks Industry-Wide Reform

Kraft Heinz’s decision aligns with growing regulatory momentum led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the HHS has prioritized removing artificial food dyes as part of its Make America Healthy Again platform, a sweeping initiative aimed at improving the nutritional quality of the American food supply.

In April 2025, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced the agency’s plan to fully phase out several petroleum-derived synthetic dyes, including:

• Red No. 3 (already banned in 2023 in California)
• Red 40
• Yellow 5
• Yellow 6
• Blue 1
• Blue 2
• Green 2

Kennedy revealed that while there is no formal binding agreement, regulators and major food companies have reached an "understanding" to voluntarily phase out these dyes. In March 2025, top executives from Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo North America, General Mills, WK Kellogg, Tyson Foods, J.M. Smucker, and the Consumer Brands Association met with Kennedy to discuss the voluntary transition.

A Long Road to Reformulation

While Kraft Heinz has made headlines with this latest announcement, the company’s effort to reduce artificial ingredients began years ago. Notably:

• In 2016, Kraft removed artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors from its signature Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.
• Its flagship Heinz ketchup has never used artificial dyes.

According to Pedro Navio, President of Kraft Heinz North America, the company has already undertaken more than 1,000 recipe reformulations over the past five years to improve the nutritional profile of its portfolio. “The vast majority of our products already use natural or no added colors,” Navio stated. “We’ve been committed to this journey for years and will continue to do so.”

Health Concerns Fuel Public and Political Pressure

The FDA’s stance comes after years of studies and advocacy calling attention to the risks posed by artificial food dyes. Most notably, Red No. 3—which was banned for topical use in cosmetics decades ago—has remained legal in food products, despite being linked to cancer in laboratory animals. California’s ban of Red No. 3 in 2023 added further momentum for national regulatory action.

Consumer groups, pediatricians, and food safety advocates have raised alarms about the possible connections between artificial dyes and childhood hyperactivity, allergies, and other adverse reactions. A widely cited 2011 meta-analysis by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggested that some children, particularly those with existing behavioral disorders, may experience worsened symptoms after consuming artificial dyes.

Global markets have already seen significant moves away from synthetic colors. The European Union mandates warning labels on foods containing certain artificial dyes, and many European versions of U.S. products already use natural coloring alternatives. American companies are now catching up to these international standards.

The Business Impact: A Delicate Balancing Act

While consumer demand for healthier, cleaner-label products continues to grow, eliminating artificial dyes entirely presents technical challenges. Bright, vibrant colors have long been a hallmark of many snack foods, beverages, and desserts—especially those aimed at children.

Industry analysts note that natural alternatives like beet juice, turmeric, spirulina, and annatto can sometimes produce less stable or duller shades, potentially altering the product's visual appeal and shelf life.

“Consumers say they want cleaner labels, but they still expect their Kool-Aid to look like Kool-Aid,” says Laura Meyer, senior food scientist at Global Food Consulting Group. “Balancing aesthetics, taste, and ingredient integrity will be a key hurdle for Kraft Heinz and its peers.”

Nevertheless, the broader food industry appears to view this shift as inevitable. Kraft Heinz expressed optimism about the transition, with its spokesperson emphasizing that the company looks forward to collaborating with regulators and consumers to “deliver quality, affordable, and wholesome foods to all American families.”

A Turning Point for the American Processed Food Industry

Kraft Heinz’s 2027 deadline signals not just a corporate decision, but a broader inflection point for the processed food sector in the U.S. Once widely accepted, synthetic dyes are now being systematically removed under both regulatory pressure and changing consumer expectations.

For Kraft Heinz, this evolution represents both a challenge and an opportunity to position itself as a leader in cleaner, more transparent food production as public scrutiny of food safety grows ever more intense.

“This is a privilege we don’t take lightly,” Navio concluded.