Patrick Oconnell
In 2013, Kraft faced backlash for using artificial food dyes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 in its Macaroni and Cheese sold in the US. Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are potentially harmful dyes that are banned in several countries. Following this, in 2015, Kraft announced it would remove artificial dyes and preservatives from its Mac and Cheese, with the new recipe hitting the shelves in 2016. So, does Kraft Macaroni and Cheese have Red Dye 40? Let's find out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Kraft Macaroni and Cheese contain Red Dye 40? | No |
| Year when Kraft Macaroni and Cheese removed artificial dyes | 2015 |
| New ingredients used to colour Kraft Macaroni and Cheese | Paprika, Annatto, Turmeric |
| Other artificial dyes used in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese | Yellow 5, Yellow 6 |
| Year when Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 were removed from Kraft Macaroni and Cheese | 2016 |
| Other products that contain Red Dye 40 | Skittles, Doritos, Gatorade, M&Ms, Hot Cheetos |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft removed artificial dyes from their Mac & Cheese in 2016
In 2013, Kraft announced its intention to remove artificial dyes from at least three of its Kraft Macaroni & Cheese products in the United States and Canada. This was in response to a Change.org petition started by food activist Vani Hari, which garnered over 365,000 signatures. The petition called out Kraft for using Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 food dyes in its Macaroni & Cheese in the US, which were potentially harmful and not used in other countries due to consumer outcry.
By 2015, Kraft had committed to removing artificial preservatives and synthetic colours from its original Kraft Macaroni & Cheese sold in the United States by January 2016. The company planned to replace the artificial dyes with natural ingredients like paprika, annatto, and turmeric to maintain the product's signature orange colour. This reformulation wasn't entirely new for Kraft, as they had already changed the recipe for some European markets where certain yellow artificial dyes were banned due to health concerns.
The decision to remove artificial dyes and preservatives was driven by consumer demand for healthier and simpler ingredients. Kraft also wanted to ensure that customers wouldn't notice a change in taste, so they worked on the changes for some time before implementing them.
As a result of these changes, in 2016, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese in the US no longer contained synthetic dyes, and the company also removed artificial preservatives and flavours from its Macaroni & Cheese Boxed Shapes product.
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Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 were used in the US but not in the UK
In 2013, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese was found to contain artificial food dyes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 in the US. These dyes were not used in the UK version of the product, as they had been removed due to consumer outcry. In fact, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are known to be contaminated with carcinogens and are banned in some countries like Norway and Austria. They are also required to have a warning label in countries outside the US.
Yellow 5, also known as Tartrazine, is used in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in Canada as well. These dyes are man-made in a lab with chemicals derived from petroleum, a crude oil product that is used in gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt, and tar. They provide no nutritional value and are only used for aesthetic purposes, adding an iconic orange colour to the product.
Following a petition that gained over 360,000 supporters, Kraft announced in 2013 that it would remove the artificial dyes from its Mac and Cheese. The company stated that it had been working on the new recipe for several years and wanted to ensure that customers would not notice a change in taste. In 2015, Kraft confirmed that its macaroni and cheese would be coloured using paprika, annatto, and turmeric, bringing it in line with standards in Europe.
In January 2016, Kraft removed artificial dyes from its Macaroni and Cheese, replacing them with natural beta carotene and paprika to maintain the signature orange colour. The change was made quietly, and many consumers did not notice the difference in taste or appearance. The new recipe also removed artificial preservatives and flavours, addressing consumer demands for "natural" foods.
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Kraft replaced dyes with paprika, annatto, and turmeric
In 2016, Kraft removed artificial dyes from its Macaroni and Cheese. The company replaced Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 with paprika, annatto, and turmeric to maintain the product's signature bright orange colour.
Kraft's decision came after a 2013 petition by Vani Hari from Food Babe, which garnered over 360,000 signatures. The petition highlighted the potentially harmful effects of artificial dyes, which are made with chemicals derived from petroleum. Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are known carcinogens and are banned or restricted in several countries outside the US.
In response to consumer demand for more natural products, Kraft worked for several years to develop a new recipe that maintained the iconic orange colour and taste that customers expected from the product. The new recipe was quietly introduced in December 2015, and the company also launched a new marketing campaign boasting of its artificial-ingredient-free status.
Kraft's decision to remove artificial dyes from its Macaroni and Cheese is significant as it is one of the largest food companies in the United States. The company's move away from artificial ingredients may inspire other food producers to follow suit and eliminate harmful additives from their products.
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A 2013 petition called for Kraft to remove artificial dyes
In 2013, a petition was started calling for Kraft to remove artificial dyes from its Macaroni and Cheese product. The petition, started by Vani Hari (aka Food Babe), specifically targeted the use of Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 food dyes, which were not used in Kraft's products in other countries due to consumer outcry and bans in places like Norway and Austria. With 361,418 supporters, the petition argued that artificial food dyes are unnecessary and potentially harmful, being made with chemicals derived from petroleum and having possible negative effects on children's behaviour and mental health.
In response to the petition and growing consumer demand for more natural products, Kraft announced in 2015 that it would be removing artificial dyes from its Macaroni and Cheese. By 2016, the company had replaced the artificial dyes with natural spices like paprika, annatto, and turmeric to maintain the product's signature orange colour. This change brought the US product in line with Kraft's formulations in other countries and addressed concerns about the potential health risks associated with artificial dyes.
The removal of artificial dyes from Kraft Macaroni and Cheese was part of a broader shift within the company and the food industry as a whole. In 2025, Kraft Heinz announced that it would remove artificial dyes from all its products by the end of 2027, partnering with the US administration's "Make America Healthy Again" platform. This decision came after pressure from federal health officials, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Health and Human Services, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The FDA had already announced plans to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes by the end of 2026 and replace them with natural alternatives. While some food manufacturers had been working to phase out synthetic dyes, the transition was not easy, as natural dyes can be more challenging to extract and may not produce the same vivid colours. Nevertheless, the push for healthier and more natural food options led to significant changes in the industry, with Kraft playing a notable role in removing artificial dyes from its iconic Macaroni and Cheese product.
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Kraft's original recipe remains unchanged in the US
Kraft's original macaroni and cheese recipe in the US has undergone changes in recent years, particularly concerning the use of artificial dyes and preservatives. While the original recipe remained unchanged for many years, concerns about the health impact of artificial ingredients led to calls for Kraft to reformulate its product.
In 2013, a petition was started by Vani Hari from Food Babe, calling on Kraft to remove artificial food dyes from its macaroni and cheese. The petition gained over 360,000 supporters and highlighted the use of Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 dyes, which were potentially harmful and not used in Kraft products in other countries. These dyes are man-made in labs using chemicals derived from petroleum and have been linked to causing hyperactivity in children.
Following the petition and increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients, Kraft announced in 2015 that it would be removing artificial dyes and synthetic colours from its macaroni and cheese sold in the US. The company stated that the new recipe would use paprika, annatto, and turmeric to achieve the signature orange colour while eliminating artificial preservatives. This change brought the US recipe in line with Kraft's products in other countries, such as the UK, where artificial dyes had already been removed due to consumer outcry.
However, it's important to note that Kraft's original recipe remained unchanged for a specific audience. While the company introduced new versions without artificial dyes and preservatives, the original recipe with the dyes was still available for purchase. This decision was made to cater to customers who preferred the traditional product and to avoid any perceived changes in taste.
In conclusion, while Kraft made efforts to remove artificial dyes and preservatives from its macaroni and cheese in the US, the original recipe remained an option for those who wished to continue purchasing it. The availability of both the original and revised recipes showcases Kraft's response to evolving consumer preferences and health concerns surrounding artificial ingredients.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese does not contain Red Dye 40. However, it did previously contain Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 food dyes, which have been removed and replaced with paprika, annatto, and turmeric.
Kraft removed the artificial dyes from their Macaroni and Cheese due to consumer demand for more natural products and concerns about the potential health risks associated with artificial dyes.
Red Dye 40 is commonly found in many brightly coloured foods, such as Skittles, Doritos, Gatorade, and M&Ms. It is added to make the food more appealing and eye-catching to consumers.
