Kraft Heinz announced Tuesday that it will remove FD&C artificial colors from its products by the end of 2027 and will no longer launch new products containing the ingredient in the United States. The company said in a statement that about 10% of its U.S. products use FD&C colors — synthetic additives that make many foods more visually appealing. According to a Kraft Heinz spokesperson, brands that sell products containing these colors include Crystal Drinks, Kool-Aid, MiO, Gel Loaf and Jet-Puffed.
Cases of Kool-Aid are neatly stacked at a Costco store in San Diego on April 27, 2025.
Pedro Navio, president of Kraft Heinz North America, said the company removed artificial colors, preservatives and flavors from Kraft Macaroni Cheese products in 2016, and that Heinz ketchup has never used artificial colors. It's unclear how removing the coloring will affect the company's business: Consumers may view the product as healthier, but may also be less interested in buying it due to the dull color.
The decision stems from pressure from the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.), who are asking the food industry to reduce the use of artificial colors as part of their "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced in April that it plans to phase out petroleum-based synthetic colors in favor of natural alternatives by the end of next year. In addition to the previously banned Red No. 3, the pigments that will be phased out include Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2 and Green No. 2.
Kennedy said at the time that the FDA had a "consensus" — not a formal agreement — with the food industry to remove artificial colors. In March, the Health and Human Services secretary joined Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo North America, General Mills, Kellogg's, Tyson Foods, J.M. The issue of removing artificial food colors was discussed during a meeting between Smucker and executives from the Consumer Brands Association, the industry's top trade group.
A Kraft Heinz spokesman said Tuesday that the company looks forward to working with the government to "deliver high-quality, affordable and healthy food to everyone."
The trend against food dyes has been going on for years. In January, before Presidents Donald Trump and John F. Kennedy took office, the FDA announced a ban on the use of red No. 3 coloring — which gives many candies and cereals their bright red color but is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals — in food and internal medicines. Even though California banned the coloring in 2023, the FDA allowed food manufacturers to use it for years.
Kraft Heinz said in a statement Tuesday that it has made more than 1,000 formula changes over the past five years to improve product nutrition.
"The vast majority of our products use natural colors or no colors and we have been gradually reducing the use of FD&C colors in the remaining product portfolio. Most importantly, we are focused on providing Americans with nutritious, affordable and delicious food, which is a responsibility we do not take lightly," said Navio.