Kraft Heinz to Remove Artificial Colors from 10% of U.S. Products by 2027

Kraft Heinz, a major food and beverage company, has announced that it will remove all FD&C artificial colors from its products in the United States by the end of 2027. This decision comes as part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the use of artificial colors in the food industry. The affected brands include Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, MiO, Jell-O, and Jet-Puffed, which collectively account for approximately 10% of Kraft Heinz's U.S. product portfolio.

Pedro Navio, President of Kraft Heinz North America, highlighted the company's previous efforts to remove artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors from its Kraft Macaroni & Cheese products in 2016. He also noted that Heinz Tomato Ketchup has never used artificial colors. The impact of removing these colors on the company's business remains uncertain. While consumers may perceive the products as healthier, there is also a risk that the change in color could reduce consumer interest.

This move by Kraft Heinz is in response to pressure from the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as part of the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. The FDA has plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic colors by the end of next year, replacing them with natural alternatives. The colors targeted for removal include Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3, in addition to the previously banned Red 3.

In March, Secretary Kennedy met with executives from Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo North America, General Mills, Kellogg's, Tyson Foods, J.M. Smucker, and the Consumer Brands Association to discuss the removal of artificial food colors. The FDA and the food industry have reached a consensus on this matter, although it is not a formal agreement. The trend against food colors has been ongoing for several years, with the FDA banning Red 3 in food and oral drugs in January, following California's ban in 2023. Red 3, known to cause cancer in laboratory animals, was used to give many candies and cereals a bright red color.

Kraft Heinz has made over 1,000 formula adjustments in the past five years to improve the nutritional profile of its products. The company expressed its commitment to working with the government to provide high-quality, affordable, and healthy food for everyone. Navio emphasized that the majority of Kraft Heinz's products already use natural colors or are color-free, and the company is gradually reducing the use of FD&C colors in its remaining product portfolio. The primary focus remains on providing nutritious, affordable, and delicious food to Americans, a responsibility that the company takes seriously.