Bushra Griffith
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, also known as Kraft Dinner, is a non-perishable, packaged macaroni and cheese mix. It was introduced in 1937 and is one of the most popular products of Kraft Foods Group, a company founded in 1903 by James L. Kraft as a cheese-delivery business in Chicago. The idea for Kraft Dinner came from a salesman who sold pasta with a packet of Kraft cheese attached with a rubber band. The product was a hit, selling 8-9 million boxes in its first year, and its popularity has continued well into the 21st century, with Kraft selling about 1 million boxes a day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Kraft Foods Group (or former parent company Mondelez internationally) |
| Founder | James L. Kraft |
| Year founded | 1903 |
| Year Kraft Mac & Cheese introduced | 1937 |
| Original name | Kraft Dinner (KD) |
| Current name | Kraft Mac & Cheese |
| Target market | Families |
| Current popularity | Sold about 1 million boxes a day |
| Ingredients | Dried macaroni pasta and a packet of processed cheese powder |
| Additives | Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 (discontinued in 2013) |
| Colouring | Paprika, annatto and turmeric |
| Variants | Deluxe varieties with liquid processed cheese, microwavable frozen meals, Easy Mac, Kraft Dinner Smart, Organic and whole-grain versions, etc. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Kraft Mac & Cheese's history
Kraft Mac & Cheese, known as Kraft Dinner in Canada, has been a staple in North American homes since its launch in 1937. The product was introduced by Kraft Foods Group, a company founded by James L. Kraft in 1903 as a cheese-delivery business in Chicago.
Kraft did not invent macaroni and cheese, with the earliest known recipe for the dish dating back to 1769. However, the company did patent its now-famous processed cheese. The idea to package pasta with processed cheese as an easy dinner came about when the company learned of a salesman selling pasta with a packet of Kraft cheese attached with a rubber band. Kraft began marketing Kraft Dinner with the promise of feeding a family of four for just 19 cents, a significant advantage during the Great Depression. The product was an instant success, selling 8-9 million boxes in the first year.
During World War II, food rationing kept the product's popularity soaring, as two boxes of Kraft Dinner could be purchased for one rationing coupon. In 1943, 50-80 million boxes were sold. Over the years, Kraft has introduced various spin-offs, including organic mac and cheese, individual serving bowls, and microwavable versions like Easy Mac.
Kraft Mac & Cheese remains a favourite among children and a convenient comfort food for adults, with the company producing over 1 million boxes a day. The brand is particularly popular in Canada, where it is the top-selling grocery item, with Canadians consuming 55% more boxes per capita than Americans. The product has also evolved with deluxe varieties, such as liquid processed cheese, and flavour variations, including Kraft Dinner Smart, a healthy sub-brand with no artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives.
Alouette Cheese: A Taste of France's Rich Heritage
You may want to see also
Kraft's founder, James L. Kraft
James Lewis Kraft, born on December 11, 1874, near Stevensville, Ontario, Canada, was the founder of Kraft Foods Inc. and the man behind the iconic Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Known as J.L. Kraft, he immigrated to the United States from Canada in 1902, settling in Chicago, where he started a cheese-delivery business in 1903.
Kraft's business acumen and innovation drove the company's success. He developed a patented pasteurization process for cheese, making him the first to patent processed cheese. This breakthrough allowed for long-distance shipping, revolutionizing the cheese industry. By 1914, J.L. Kraft & Bros. Company opened its first cheese manufacturing plant in Stockton, Illinois, marking the beginning of Kraft's expansion.
The introduction of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in 1937 was a pivotal moment in the company's history. Inspired by a salesman selling pasta with a packet of Kraft cheese attached, Kraft began marketing Kraft Dinner (KD). During the Great Depression, it offered a family of four a meal for just 19 cents, selling 8 million boxes in its first year. The product's popularity continued to soar during World War II due to food rationing, and in 1943, 80 million boxes were sold.
Over the years, Kraft introduced numerous innovative products and marketing strategies, propelling the company to become one of North America's leading food producers. He served as the company's president until his death in 1953, leaving behind a legacy of entrepreneurial spirit and innovation. Kraft's name remains synonymous with quality and convenience, with Kraft Macaroni and Cheese continuing to be a beloved and iconic product worldwide.
Who Invented Cheesecake? A Historical Mystery
You may want to see also
Kraft's popularity in Canada
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, known as Kraft Dinner in Canada, was introduced in 1937. It was inspired by a salesman who sold pasta with a packet of Kraft cheese attached with a rubber band. The product was an instant success, selling 8 million boxes in the first year. The affordability of the product, which promised to feed a family of four for just 19 cents, was a major boon during the Great Depression.
Kraft Dinner has since become a cultural staple in Canadian households. Canadians purchase 1.7 million of the 7 million boxes sold globally each week and eat an average of 3.2 boxes of Kraft Dinner each year, 55% more than Americans. It is the most popular grocery item in the country and has become a generic trademark of sorts for macaroni and cheese. It is often simply referred to as KD and is now marketed by the initials K.D. as well.
Kraft Canada was established in 2003 as a branch of the larger Kraft Foods corporation. Kraft has developed several products specifically designed to cater to Canadian tastes, contributing to a unique brand identity. Kraft Dinner Smart (KD Smart), a healthy sub-brand of Kraft Dinner, was launched in Canada in March 2010 with two vegetable varieties. The product is made with real Kraft cheddar and is manufactured in Mount Royal, Quebec.
Kraft's commitment to adapting its product offerings and practices to meet the preferences and needs of Canadian consumers has solidified its relevance in the Canadian market. The company has invested in community initiatives and sustainability programs within Canada, further enhancing its positive impact. By prioritizing local partnerships and social responsibility, Kraft boosts its brand image and fosters economic growth and community well-being throughout the regions in which it operates.
Where 4C Homestyle Cheese is Crafted and Perfected
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Kraft's recipe reformulation
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, also known as Kraft Dinner, was introduced in 1937. It is a non-perishable, packaged macaroni and cheese mix. While Kraft did not invent macaroni and cheese, it did patent its now-famous processed cheese. The earliest known recipe for the dish dates back to 1769.
In recent years, Kraft has made several changes to the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese recipe to remove artificial ingredients and improve its nutritional content. These changes were made to address consumer feedback and public health agendas, particularly regarding sugar and salt reduction.
In November 2013, Kraft announced the removal of Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 food dyes from its pasta shape varieties for children in the US. The company also reduced the sodium and saturated fat content and increased the amount of whole grains.
In April 2015, Kraft announced that these changes would be extended throughout the line after January 2016. The updated recipe replaced artificial dyes with natural spices like paprika, annatto, and turmeric. Additionally, artificial preservatives were removed, although natural preservatives like sodium remain in the product.
The reformulated recipe was quietly introduced in December 2015, with Kraft announcing the change in March 2016. The company maintained that the new recipe still offered "the taste you love," reflecting their effort to ensure that the changes did not impact the product's flavor.
Kraft's approach to communicating the recipe change has been described as a "disruptive comms strategy." Initially, the company did not widely publicize the reformulation, and many consumers did not notice the difference. When Kraft eventually acknowledged the change, it did so with a tongue-in-cheek campaign, using the hashtag #didntnotice and playing on the element of surprise.
The success of the reformulation is evident in the sales figures, with Kraft selling more than 50 million boxes of the new mac and cheese. This indicates that Kraft successfully navigated the challenge of recipe changes, which can often be met with resistance from consumers.
Cheese Dip: Mexican Style, What's the Secret?
You may want to see also
Kraft's spin-off products
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, or Kraft Dinner, was introduced in 1937. It was inspired by a salesman selling pasta with a packet of Kraft cheese attached with a rubber band. The product was a hit, selling 8 million boxes in the first year. Since then, Kraft has launched several spin-off products and variations of the original macaroni and cheese.
One notable spin-off is Kraft Dinner Smart (KD Smart), a healthy sub-brand of the Kraft Dinner brand. Launched in Canada in March 2010, KD Smart offers a range of Kraft macaroni and cheese products without artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. Instead, the product includes added ingredients like cauliflower, oats, or flax seeds blended into the noodles. KD Smart is made with real Kraft cheddar and is manufactured in Mount Royal, Quebec. It comes in various shapes, including the original tenderoni, pop culture icons, alphabet letters, numbers, and spirals. Organic and whole-grain versions are also available, along with a "family size" option.
Kraft has also released promotional tie-in versions of Kraft Dinner aimed at children. These packages feature pasta in the shapes of popular characters such as Looney Tunes, Super Mario Bros., and Star Wars. Additionally, Kraft has expanded its macaroni and cheese offerings with different pasta shapes and flavours. They have also introduced completely different dishes under the Kraft Dinner banner, such as spaghetti in several flavours.
In 2015, Kraft quietly changed the recipe for its original macaroni and cheese, removing artificial flavours, preservatives, and dyes. This change went largely unnoticed by consumers until the company announced it in March 2016. Kraft has also launched a gluten-free version of its traditional macaroni and cheese, which includes brown rice and corn pasta with the original flavour cheese sauce mix.
Shullsburg Cheese: A Tasty Wisconsin Treat
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Kraft Mac & Cheese was invented by James L. Kraft, the founder of Kraft Foods. The product was first introduced in 1937 and has since become a popular comfort food for many.
No, the idea of combining pasta with cheese dates back to 160 B.C. Rome, and the earliest known recipe was recorded in Northern Europe in 1769. However, Kraft did patent its now-famous processed cheese.
Kraft Mac & Cheese is made by Kraft Foods Group, or its former parent company, Mondelez International. In 2019, Mondelez International had net revenues of approximately $26 billion.
