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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kraft Heinz to remove artificial dyes from food products over next 2 years
Kraft Heinz announced on Tuesday that it would be removing artificial food dyes from its products within the next two years. The company said 10% of its products currently contain FD&C color additives, which are approved for use in food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including brands such as Crystal Light, Jell-O and Kool Aid. Pedro Navio, North America president at Kraft Heinz, said in a statement that the company removed artificial colors, preservatives and flavors from its Kraft macaroni and cheese in 2016 and that its Heinz tomato ketchup has never had artificial dyes. MORE: What is Red 40? Other food coloring up for possible ban in US "As a food company with a 150+ year heritage, we are continuously evolving our recipes, products, and portfolio to deliver superiority to consumers and customers," Navio's statement read, in part. "The vast majority of our products use natural or no colors, and we've been on a journey to reduce our use of FD&C colors across the remainder of our portfolio. … Above all, we are focused on providing nutritious, affordable, and great-tasting food for Americans and this is a privilege we don't take lightly." It comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a plan in April to start phasing out eight synthetic food dyes in the American food supply. At a news conference announcing the plan, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said health agencies were looking to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings and to work with the food industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes used in a variety of food products. Kennedy said the agencies had reached an "understanding" with major food companies to voluntarily remove artificial food dyes from their products. It's unclear what action Kennedy could take if the companies don't comply. Shortly after Kennedy's announcement, PepsiCo's CEO said on an earnings call that the company had already begun phasing out artificial colors. In-N-Out also announced in May it was removing artificial food dyes from menu items. Other companies, like Kellogg's, have previously stated their products are safe for consumption, and they are following federal standards set by the FDA. MORE: RFK Jr. is moving to phase out synthetic food dyes. Are they safe? Last month, the FDA approved two dyes and expanded approval of a third, meaning it can now be used in a wider range of food products. Some studies have linked dyes to behavioral changes in children as well as to cancer in animals, suggesting this could extend to humans. Some nutritionists and dietitians say that it's best to avoid artificial food dyes, while others say more research needs to be done and the potential negative effects are still unclear. Kraft Heinz to remove artificial dyes from food products over next 2 years originally appeared on
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kraft Heinz to remove artificial dyes from food products over next 2 years
Kraft Heinz announced on Tuesday that it would be removing artificial food dyes from its products within the next two years. The company said 10% of its products currently contain FD&C color additives, which are approved for use in food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including brands such as Crystal Light, Jell-O and Kool Aid. Pedro Navio, North America president at Kraft Heinz, said in a statement that the company removed artificial colors, preservatives and flavors from its Kraft macaroni and cheese in 2016 and that its Heinz tomato ketchup has never had artificial dyes. MORE: What is Red 40? Other food coloring up for possible ban in US "As a food company with a 150+ year heritage, we are continuously evolving our recipes, products, and portfolio to deliver superiority to consumers and customers," Navio's statement read, in part. "The vast majority of our products use natural or no colors, and we've been on a journey to reduce our use of FD&C colors across the remainder of our portfolio. … Above all, we are focused on providing nutritious, affordable, and great-tasting food for Americans and this is a privilege we don't take lightly." It comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled a plan in April to start phasing out eight synthetic food dyes in the American food supply. At a news conference announcing the plan, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said health agencies were looking to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings and to work with the food industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes used in a variety of food products. Kennedy said the agencies had reached an "understanding" with major food companies to voluntarily remove artificial food dyes from their products. It's unclear what action Kennedy could take if the companies don't comply. Shortly after Kennedy's announcement, PepsiCo's CEO said on an earnings call that the company had already begun phasing out artificial colors. In-N-Out also announced in May it was removing artificial food dyes from menu items. Other companies, like Kellogg's, have previously stated their products are safe for consumption, and they are following federal standards set by the FDA. MORE: RFK Jr. is moving to phase out synthetic food dyes. Are they safe? Last month, the FDA approved two dyes and expanded approval of a third, meaning it can now be used in a wider range of food products. Some studies have linked dyes to behavioral changes in children as well as to cancer in animals, suggesting this could extend to humans. Some nutritionists and dietitians say that it's best to avoid artificial food dyes, while others say more research needs to be done and the potential negative effects are still unclear. Kraft Heinz to remove artificial dyes from food products over next 2 years originally appeared on
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Kraft Heinz to remove all artificial dyes by end of 2027
Kraft Heinz Co. said it will remove synthetic food dyes from all of its US products by the end of 2027, eliminating ingredients such as Red 40 and Yellow 5 from Jell-O, Kool-Aid and some Lunchables products. Kraft Heinz is now the largest US packaged food company to fully commit to eliminating the artificial colorants regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The owner of the Heinz and Oscar Mayer brands also isn't introducing any new products in the US with the dyes. The change marks a victory for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The HHS and the FDA said in April that they'll work with food producers to eliminate synthetic food dyes by the end of 2026. Industry groups have previously said no agreement exists on the matter, however. 'We are continuously evolving our recipes, products and portfolio to deliver superiority to consumers and customers,' said Pedro Navio, North America president at Kraft Heinz, in a statement. 'The vast majority of our products use natural or no colors, and we've been on a journey to reduce our use of FD&C colors across the remainder of our portfolio.' The term FD&C colors refers to seven common synthetic dyes approved for use in food by the Food and Drug Administration that make up nearly all of the artificial colors consumed by Americans. The FDA announced in January that it would ban Red No. 3, and then in April said it would look to remove the other six. Nearly 90% of Kraft Heinz's products sold in the US contain no synthetic dyes, according to the company. It removed dyes from Kraft Macaroni & Cheese in 2016. Even so, Kraft Heinz still lists dozens of products that use them, from salad dressings and color-changing marshmallows to condiments such as relish. Many of the products are in the company's desserts and drinks categories, including its portfolio of Mio water flavor enhancers, Crystal Light and Kool-Aid drink mixes, and Jell-O gelatins and puddings, a spokesperson for Kraft Heinz said. In products where colors are not 'critical to the consumer experience,' Kraft Heinz will remove them outright. In other instances, it will replace synthetic dyes with natural dyes — or create new colorants 'where matching natural replacements are not available.' The firm will also work with licensees of its brands to urge the removal of the dyes. Partners such as Morris National Inc., for example, produce candies under the Jell-O brand that contain synthetic dyes, while Frankford makes Oscar Meyer branded hot dog gummies. Kraft Heinz cut its annual sales and profit outlook earlier this year after posting a sixth straight quarter of declining revenue. In May, the company said it was evaluating deals in an effort to boost its stock price while announcing that Berkshire Hathaway Inc. was giving up its board seats. The company's stock is down 16% this year through Monday's close, well below the S&P 500 Index's 2.6% increase over the same period. PepsiCo Inc., which makes snacks such as Doritos and Cheetos, has committed to providing options with natural colors in the years ahead. Tyson Foods Inc. announced in May that it would eliminate all synthetic dyes from its products, though the chicken and meat producer had little exposure to the ingredients. Kubzansky writes for Bloomberg.
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
What RFK Jr's MAHA Plan Says About Chemicals in Food
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ultra-processed foods packed with dyes and synthetic chemicals are contributing to a growing health crisis among children, according to the "Make America Healthy Again" Commission report released Thursday. In it, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calls for transforming the U.S. food system to emphasize whole foods and reassess nutritional regulations. Why It Matters President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission, which pledged to produce a report within the president's first few months back in office. The report states that consumption of ultra-processed foods "has gone up at an exponential rate as share of the American diet." Kennedy, who has repeatedly warned of a chronic disease epidemic in the United States, earlier this year described products from companies like Kellogg's and McDonald's as "mass poison to children." In April, the Food and Drug Administration announced it is working to phase out eight synthetic food dyes by 2026. The dyes do not offer nutritional value, and some, like Kennedy, argue they pose health risks. Over 40 percent of American adults are obese, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and around 20 percent of children and teens. Obesity is a health condition that increases the risk of certain conditions, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and more. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appears before a Senate committee at the U.S. Capitol on May 14, 2025. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appears before a Senate committee at the U.S. Capitol on May 14, 2025. AP Photo/John McDonnell What To Know The first section of the report focuses on the rise of ultra-processed foods, attributing their dominance to post-World War II advances in mechanization, industrial farming, synthetic fertilizers and shelf-stable processing. It states that nearly 70 percent of the average American child's calories now come from ultra-processed foods. The report specifically highlights food colorings, like Red 40, as being associated with behavioral issues in children, including hyperactivity. It continues that "preliminary evidence" suggests a link "between the consumption of food colorings and autism, although further long-term research is necessary to establish a definitive link." It also suggests that titanium dioxide, which is used in many candies and sauces, could potentially cause cell and DNA damage. Kennedy urges Americans to adopt "diets centered on whole foods." The report argues that the "greatest step the United States can take to reverse childhood chronic disease is to put whole foods produced by American farmers and ranchers at the center of healthcare." It broadly suggests partnering with farmers, redirecting incentives toward whole foods, and reevaluating regulations, however, it does not provide specific implementation details. What People Are Saying Miranda Yaver, an assistant professor of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh, told Newsweek: "There's a great deal of inconsistency across the Trump Administration positions. We'd all like to see people eat more healthily. The question is, how do we get to that point? "While RFK Jr. bemoans processed foods, we aren't seeing ways to address the underlying problem of food deserts (which about 19 million Americans live in) and food insecurity, the latter of which will only be exacerbated by the SNAP cuts for which the House Republicans just voted. RFK Jr. has called for healthier school lunches, but the administration made cuts to that very program." FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said at a news conference in April: "The FDA will establish a standard and timeline for industry to switch to natural alternatives, revoke authorization for dyes not in production within coming weeks and take steps to remove remaining dyes on the market." Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said at the same April news conference: "Food dye is just a no-brainer. Nobody wants to eat petroleum. Everybody knows there's enough science out there that we know it's terrible for you. It causes health problems but also behavioral problems." What Happens Next The report pledges to support "gold-standard scientific research." Kennedy pushed the NIH "to fund long-term trials comparing whole-food, reduced-carb, and low-UPF diets in children to assess effects on obesity and insulin resistance."
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
In-N-Out Announces Changes After New FDA Guidelines
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it would begin phasing out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in food products by the end of next year. That has forced beloved burger chain In-N-Out to make some changes. United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy helped spearhead an effort to remove the dyes from food products in the United States. 'For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,' Kennedy said in a statement at the time. 'These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children's health and development.' 'We're restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public's trust. And, we're doing it by working with industry to get these toxic dyes out of the foods our families eat every day.' As a result of that announcement, In-N-Out announced this week that it will be making some changes to its menu, including the removal of artificial coloring from its Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade as well as the transition to a ketchup that uses real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. In-N-Out Owner and President Lynsi Snyder announced the changes in a statement to Newsweek. "We are proud to say we've made the following changes," Replaced Yellow 5 with Turmeric in our pickles, chilies, and spread Replaced Red 40 with beta carotene and vegetable juice in our Strawberry Shakes and Signature Pink Lemonade Replaced artificial vanilla with natural vanilla in our shake mix Replaced artificial flavors with natural flavors in our chocolate syrup and hot cocoa Replaced high-fructose corn syrup with natural sugar in our shake mix, strawberry syrup, spread, and Signature Pink Lemonade Replaced calcium propionate with natural enzymes in our buns and removed cottonseed oil "We've additionally introduced a healthier beverage sweetener option by replacing sucralose and saccharin sweetener packets with Stevia Leaf Extract, and added a non-dairy alternative, oat milk creamer, Snyder said. "We're also in the process of transitioning to ketchup made with real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup and researching an even better-quality oil for our fries." In-N-Out is not alone in these changes, as brands across the country will be forced to make changes to comply with the new guidelines.
