America's largest food company makes major recipe change
By
Published: | Updated:
PepsiCo has announced that it has already started phasing out artificial ingredients in line with Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's drive to ban them from foods. The food giant's CEO, Ramon Laguarta, said that it would continue to transition products such as Cheetos, Lay's, Tostitos and Doritos to be more natural in response to a change in consumer preferences. Laguarta confirmed that Lay's and Tostitos 'will be out of artificial colors by the end of this year.'
Used in the American food supply for decades to give treats an appealing hue, in recent years concerns have been raised over the health effects of food dyes - including animal studies suggesting they can cause hyperactivity, cancer and other health problems. PepsiCo, headquartered in Harrison, New York, owns more than 200 food and beverage brands worldwide, including 23 that each generate over $1 billion in sales annually.
Laguarta claims that 60 percent of the company's portfolio currently doesn't contain any artificial dyes and they are working at finding natural alternatives for the rest of the brands. Among the most scrutinized dyes in the food and beverage industry are Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. Natural alternatives to these include ingredients like beet juice, pomegranate juice, turmeric, saffron, carrot juice, and paprika.
In March, PepsiCo launched 'simply' Ruffles Hot & Spicy crisps, which contain no artificial colors or flavors, reflecting this shift. The new seasoning still has a fiery kick, thanks to a blend of red pepper and 'bold' spices, but without the signature fiery hue. Other products from the company which are now free from synthetic dyes and flavorings include 'simply' lines of Lay's, SunChips, Tostitos Tortilla Chips, and Cheetos.
However, many of the brand's popular products are still laced with artificial dyes. For example, Flamin' Hot Cheetos contain Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, while the Lemon Lime flavor of Gatorade has Yellow 5. In a bid to make its foods healthier all round, Laguarta highlighted that PepsiCo has 'been leading the transformation of the industry now for a long time on sodium reduction, sugar reduction and better fats'.
FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary announced last Tuesday that the agency will phase out the use of eight artificial food dyes in America's food supply within the next two years. The massive shakeup will free children from the 'toxic soup' that makes up much of America's food supply, Dr Makary said. Dr Makary, a trained surgeon, began his remarks by calling attention to an oft-cited review in The Lancet , which reported ties between artificial food dyes and hyperactivity in children.
'So why are we taking a gamble,' Makary said. The Trump administration will ask food companies to phase out the use of Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 by the end of 2026 and start using natural alternatives, which the FDA will approve or deny first. The move is not legally binding and companies do not have to comply.
'For companies that are currently using petroleum based red dye, try watermelon juice or beet juice,' Makary said, lifting small bottles of juice off his podium. 'For companies currently combining petroleum-based yellow chemical and red dyes together, try carrot juice.' The latest proposal also revokes approval for two dyes, citrus red 2 and orange B, which are not as common as the other dyes.
The FDA has not reached any formal agreement with the food industry to carry out these goals, though they apparently have 'an understanding,' and the agency has not put forward a detailed plan for achieving them.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
1.7 million eggs recalled over Salmonella fears
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of 1.7 million eggs due to potential Salmonella contamination. California-based August Egg Company of Hilmar is initiating the recall of brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs distributed in nine states. The eggs were distributed from February 3 through May 15 in California and Nevada, and from February 3 through May 6 to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois. Recalled eggs have plant code numbers P-6562 or CA5330 and Julian Dates between 32 and 126 printed on the carton. Salmonella infection can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea, and can be serious or fatal in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The Independent
6 hours ago
- The Independent
Salmonella outbreak tied to eggs sickens dozens across 7 states
A salmonella outbreak linked to a large egg recall has made dozens of people sick in seven states in the West and Midwest, federal health officials said Saturday. The August Egg Company recalled about 1.7 million brown organic and brown cage-free egg varieties distributed to grocery stores between February and May because of the potential for salmonella, according to a posted announcement Friday on the Food and Drug Administration's website. At least 79 people in seven states have gotten a strain of salmonella that was linked to the eggs, and 21 people have been hospitalized. the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The recall covers Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington and Wyoming. A list of brands and plant codes or Julian dates can be found on the FDA and CDC websites. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps. Most people who get sick recover within a week. Infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization. The CDC advises people to throw away recalled eggs or return them to the store where they were purchased. Consumers should also wash and disinfect any surfaces that came in contact with the eggs. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
Egg recall over salmonella warning spans across nine states
Almost two million eggs have been recalled in the United States over concerns of salmonella contamination. The recall, announced on Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, affects products distributed in nine states and is associated with various grocery store chains. According to the FDA, California -based August Egg Company of Hilmar is recalling 1,700,000 dozen brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs due to potential contamination. The eggs were distributed from February 3 through May 15, with sell-by dates from March 4 to June 4, within California and Nevada. Products were distributed at locations including Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs. Eggs were also distributed from February 3 through May 6 with sell-by dates from March 4 to June 19 to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois. The recalled eggs will have the plant code number P-6562 or CA5330 printed on the carton or package, with Julian Dates between 32 and 126. The recalled retail eggs will be in fiber or plastic cartons, with the above codes printed on one side of the carton. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the frail or elderly, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and even bloody diarrhea. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in more severe illnesses. A statement from August Egg Company read: 'It is important to know that when our processing plant identified this concern, we immediately began diverting all eggs from the plant to an egg-breaking facility, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any pathogens. 'August Egg Company's internal food safety team is also conducting its own stringent review to identify what measures can be established to prevent this situation from recurring. 'We are committed to addressing this matter fully and to implementing all necessary corrective actions to ensure this does not happen again.'
