Kraft macaroni and cheese is pretty popular with adults and kids alike, but the company that makes it says they are looking at making some changes to it nonetheless.
Kraft Food Group Inc. announced this week that they will be removing the yellow dye they use to give the cheese it’s famous bright hue, although the change will only come to certain kinds: SpongeBob SquarePants, Halloween, and winter shapes Mac & Cheese dinners, which obviously appeal to children. The original flavors won’t be affected. The company says they plan on adding paprika and spices to the boxed dinners to make up for the change, and will also use whole grains and reduce the salt and fat content.
The move comes after a Change.org petition called for the company to remove the additives from their foods, although Kraft says the petition wasn’t the reason for their decision.
“We’ll continue to make improvement where we can,” Triona Schmelter, Kraft Food Group Inc.’s Vice President of Marketing Meals said.
“Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in the US contains the artificial food dyes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6,” the petition states. “These unnecessary – yet potentially harmful – dyes are not in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in other countries, including the UK, because they were removed due to consumer outcry. Kraft reformulated their product for the UK, but not for their fellow American citizens. It’s time we demand the same here in the US!”
Vani Hari, who started the petition, says that she expects to see Kraft announcing more good changes in the future.
“I knew all along that it wasn’t going to be an overnight change,” said Hari. “This is a big corporation, and this is one of their biggest products.”
Image: Kraft Food Group, Inc.