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Kraft Macaroni & Cheese has been a neon orange staple in kitchens since 1937. But thanks to consumers who want more natural foods, it's about to look a whole lot different. USA Today reports that Kraft is getting rid of artificial dyes in the comfort-food classic.
The company will nix all artificial preservatives and synthetic dyes from its "blue box" macaroni & cheese starting early next year. They'll replace the food dyes like Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 with colors from natural ingredients like paprika, annatto, and turmeric. The Chicago Tribune notes that most boxes already don't have any artificial flavors, but varieties that do (like Easy Mac microwaveable cups) will be replaced with natural ingredients around the same time.
Many health groups put pressure on Kraft to ditch artificial ingredients. A Change.org petition by controversial blogger Vani Hari, also known as The Food Babe, racked up hundreds of thousands of signatures. But Kraft insists the move was independent of any outside influence, and that they had been working on the updated ingredients for three years.
"[Customers] told us they want to feel good about the foods they eat and serve their families, including everything from improved nutrition to simpler ingredients," Triona Schmelter, vice president of marketing for meals, said in a press release. "We've been working tirelessly to find the right recipe that our fans will love."
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