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Kraft Heinz Is Removing Artificial Dyes from All U.S. Products by 2027

Kraft Heinz Is Removing Artificial Dyes from All U.S. Products by 2027

Kraft Heinz, the company behind some of America’s most iconic foods like Kraft Mac & Cheese and Heinz Ketchup, just made a big announcement: it’s getting rid of all artificial food dyes in its U.S. products by the end of 2027.

This decision affects a wide range of popular items, especially childhood favorites like Kool-Aid, Jell-O, and Crystal Light. The company says that starting now, no new products it launches in the U.S. will include synthetic dyes—and they’re working on reformulating existing ones, too.

Right now, about 90% of Kraft Heinz’s U.S. products are already dye-free. This final 10%—mostly sweets and drinks—will be getting a makeover over the next couple of years.

How Kraft Heinz Plans to Do It

The company has laid out a three-step plan to make the switch. First, they’ll remove dyes where color isn’t really necessary. Second, they’ll replace synthetic dyes with natural ones, using things like fruit and vegetable extracts. And third, they’ll completely reinvent some products when a simple swap isn’t enough to keep the look and taste people expect.

Kraft Heinz Is Removing Artificial Dyes from All U.S. Products by 2027

Pedro Navio, President of Kraft Heinz North America, says the company has already improved more than 1,000 product recipes in recent years by cutting back on things like added sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Removing artificial dyes is just the next step.

What’s Driving the Change?

This shift isn’t just about staying trendy—it’s partly about keeping up with changing government regulations. The FDA has been signaling that it wants companies to voluntarily phase out synthetic dyes, especially Red Dye No. 3, which has faced criticism over possible links to health concerns in children.

California has already passed a law banning Red No. 3 and several other additives by 2027, and other states are looking at similar rules. Kraft Heinz’s move seems to align closely with that timeline, and they’re not the only ones making changes. Other big food companies like General Mills and PepsiCo are also pulling artificial dyes from their products.

Will It Taste Different?

That’s a fair question—and it’s one Kraft Heinz says they’re thinking about carefully. The company has made it clear that even as they remove or replace artificial dyes, they won’t sacrifice the taste or the classic look people know and love.

The idea is to make the change as seamless as possible for customers. You may not even notice the difference—except when you check the ingredients list.

Why It Matters for Families

For parents, this move could offer some peace of mind. Some research suggests that synthetic dyes may be linked to hyperactivity or behavioral issues in children, though the FDA still considers them safe in regulated amounts. Still, with more attention being paid to what goes into kids’ food, having natural ingredients is a welcome change for many families.

And while Kraft Heinz is taking its time to get the reformulations right, the company has made a clear promise: by 2027, every single one of its U.S. products will be free of artificial dyes.

A Shift That’s Bigger Than One Company

Kraft Heinz isn’t doing this in a vacuum. The entire food industry is moving in this direction as consumers increasingly look for simpler, cleaner ingredients. Removing synthetic colors is just one part of that larger trend.

With government pressure growing and shoppers paying closer attention to labels, it’s likely we’ll see more food companies following suit in the near future.

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