It turns out the squeaky wheel really does get the grease. Remember a couple of years ago when the use of artificial dyes and their effects on children were in the limelight? Turns out, people have so significantly changed their buying patterns in order to avoid them, that companies really are seeking natural alternatives. According to this NPR article, companies like Kraft, Panera, Nestle, and General Mills are all pledging to phase out artificial coloring and flavorings.
The original study indicating a negative correlation between artificial coloring and health came out in 2007–so while it took nearly 9 years of downward buying patterns, the change is coming. I know this is just a first step, but how nice would it be to buy a pre-packaged food now and again, without worrying that it’s literally damaging your kid from the inside out?
New coloring will come from plants, fruits and veggies. Food companies say that natural colorings will come with some variations, because the color of real plants, fruits and veggies vary significantly depending on the season and region they were grown. I totally get humans like consistency, and maybe this is the gardener in me who already knows about natural variations, but I could totally get over varied colors in exchange for some of the crappity crap to be out of the food.
How about you, do you think this is a step in the right direction?
~Mavis
Lana says
It is about time!
Laura says
Okay, this is kinda cracking me up. I’ve followed you from the time you celebrated getting 20 boxes of Hamburger Helper for a nickel apiece, so I love how far you have come away from eating the “crappity crap.” Apparently, you are not alone!
Love it and love the progress from the manufacturers. Great news!!
Mavis Butterfield says
I know, right? How crazy!!! Thanks for hanging around all these years Laura.
Teresa says
I find myself wondering why we need coloring at all. I grew up eating my mother’s cooking. The mac and cheese was creamy off white not yellow or orange. I don’t buy a lot of processed foods, I know it’s everywhere. I have a grand daughter now so I’m all for it for her benefit. I still make a lot of home cooked foods, even tried my hand at ketchup, it was the color of the tomatoes I used to make it. The sugar was way less too. You ever look at cereal box labels? The only one I can find without a bunch of coloring or sugar is Shredded Wheat.
Carole Browne says
I am personally VERY glad that companies are finally listening to the public. I have an allergy to yellow dye and it seems to be in everything! I have had to completely cut any processed foods out of my diet and unfortunately my family’s. I know that it is healthier, but dog-gone it, sometimes I want a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese! I know the public will not like the products after the changes, but honestly who cares if your mac & cheese is not neon yellow!
Tammy says
Just because dye is not in Kraft mac n’cheese does not make it “healthy”. They’re only doing this because it effects their bottom dollar, not because they actually CARE about the health of their consumers.
My daughter is one who is greatly affected by food dye, so I’ve avoided it like the plague for a few years now. But I also have a long list of other ingredients I avoid so I pretty much make almost all our food from scratch. ^_^
This really won’t change my buying habits, but I guess it is nice to see that consumers do have some sway!
Kelly says
I’m so happy to see this. My daughter and I are both mildly allergic to the artificial food dyes and it’s shocking how many things it is in!! Little by little, these companies are listening to us.
Renay says
May god forgive me, but I love Kraft Mac and Cheese!!!! Oh, and I do love home made, too.
suzanne says
Crack Mac! Me too!
Tracey Johns says
And Aldi! They are removing all artificial colors and trans fats from their products.
Lace Faerie says
I think this is great! But it’s not going to change my buying habits much as I buy ingredients to make my own from scratch.
My adult daughter has a horrible allergy to corn in any form, from corn syrup to malt to dextrin in packaged seasonings mixes, there is corn in regular baking powder!
I hope when the change over to natural colorings, they will list the sources. Carrot juice is used to color raisins in cereal mixes and I have life-threatening allergy to carrots!