Kraft Heinz will remove all artificial dyes from its food
In a June 17 press release, the company said "nearly" 90% of its products were already free of Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colors, also known as artificial or synthetic food dyes, and that it would be removing them from the remaining 10% of its products. The manufacturer also said it would not launch any new products using the dyes, effective immediately.
The FD&C dyes in question have been and still are allowed for use in food and drink products under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. However, an announcement from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr in April indicated the agency is looking to revoke the approval of at least eight "petroleum-based synthetic dyes" in favor of "natural alternatives."
Before the end of 2027, Kraft Heinz intends to replace the dyes with natural alternatives or "reinvent" new colors and shades for products where natural replacement color matches are not available.
"As a food company with a 150+ year heritage, we are continuously evolving our recipes, products, and portfolio to deliver superiority to consumers and customers,' Pedro Navio, North America President at Kraft Heinz, said in a statement. 'The vast majority of our products use natural or no colors, and we've been on a journey to reduce our use of FD&C colors across the remainder of our portfolio."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Kennedy praised the move on a June 17 post to X, formerly Twitter, saying this "voluntary step" will phase out "harmful dyes" in brands like Kool-Aid, Jell-O and Crystal Light.
Are food dyes getting banned in the US?: What know to about 8 dyes being phased out
Is the US banning artificial food dyes?
The FDA announced on April 22 that it will "phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply" by the end of 2026. The dyes have previously been allowed under FDA regulations and oversight.
The targeted additives include Red Dye 40, Yellow Dye 5, Yellow Dye 6, Blue Dye 1, Blue Dye 2, Green Dye 3, Citrus Red 2 and Orange B.
No formal agreement or legislation was passed officially banning the substances. Instead, HHS and the FDA have a "mutual understanding" with the food industry that the dyes will be progressively removed, Kennedy said at the time.
During an April 22 press conference, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency intends to revoke the approval of some dyes for use and work with industry leaders to substitute petrochemical dyes with "natural" ones. A press statement released by the FDA also said it plans to establish a "national standard and timeline for the transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives."
The FDA will authorize four new natural color additives and expedite the approval of more, according to its statement. The agency will also partner with the National Institutes of Health to research the effect food additives have on children's health and development.
Other companies promise to eliminate artificial dyes
Several major food and beverage companies have recently announced their plans to remove ingredients in the wake of the April HHS announcement.
At an April 24 earnings call, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company's transition away from artificial colors was underway, with more than 60 percent of its business already in compliance. Popular snack brands under its portfolio like Lays, Doritos and Tostitos, will stop using artificial colors by the end of the year under the directive.
Tyson Foods made a similar promise in May, telling Reuters it was "proactively reformulating" products to eliminate the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes by the end of the month. Mars, Inc., the producer of Skittles, also announced in late May that it would be removing titanium dioxide from the colorful candy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lessons from Hong Kong and China: What Malaysia can do to unlock its smart city potential
HONG KONG, Aug 20 — Imagine waking up and your kopi-o is already brewing because your artificial intelligence (AI) assistant knows you had a late night. It booked your e-hailing ride to the train station, reminded you to top up your e-wallet and even suggested an umbrella because rain clouds over Bangsar are moving in faster than expected. AI is no longer just a buzzword. Across Asia, the technology is already woven into daily life — and Malaysia is only beginning to catch up. But what exactly is AI? At its simplest, AI refers to computer systems that can perform tasks which typically require human intelligence — such as understanding language, recognising images, solving problems and learning from data. Unlike traditional software, AI can adapt, spot patterns and make predictions quickly and accurately. In Malaysia, AI is already shaping daily life behind the scenes. E-commerce platforms use it to recommend products and time flash sales, banking mobile applications detect unusual spending and categorise expenses automatically and ride-hailing platforms adjust fares based on traffic and demand, while Rapid KL taps AI data to optimise bus routes. But compared to its Asian neighbours, Malaysia is still in the early stages of adoption. Recently, Malay Mail joined a group of Asean journalists on a visit to Hong Kong and Shenzhen to see how AI is being integrated into city life and daily routines. Cyberport Hong Kong corporate communications senior manager Cindy Fung demonstrates the use of AI in the classroom. — Picture courtesy of China Daily Asia Pacific What's it like in Hong Kong In Hong Kong, AI already plays a visible role in daily operations. The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) uses sensors and real-time algorithms to manage crowd flow and adjust train frequency, preventing congestion on busy platforms. Government services rely on AI chatbots to handle tax and permit applications in multiple languages. The private sector is also leaning on AI, for example retailers like Watsons in Hong Kong deploy AI-powered mirrors that analyse skin and recommend products instantly. In hospitals, AI is used to pre-screen chest X-rays, freeing doctors to concentrate on more complex cases. Even the Legislative Council (LegCo) taps AI to transcribe and summarise lengthy debates, making proceedings more accessible to the public. Among the tools used most often is iFLYTEK, a China-based AI platform that does simultaneous interpretation. It is able to support 60 languages for text translation with about 15 languages optimised for real-time speech-to-speech or live transcription at conference level. Smart traffic with AI in Shenzhen Just across the border from Hong Kong, in Shenzhen, one of the most visible applications of AI is on the roads. Once a quiet fishing village, the city now operates a sophisticated traffic control system built in collaboration with Huawei from 2019. At its core is an ultra-broadband network capable of processing 40 times more data than traditional systems. Combined with citywide surveillance, AI detects fake plates, scrapped vehicles and multiple violations in real time. China's approach Beyond Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China has embedded AI across various sectors. Healthcare platforms such as InferVision help detect early signs of lung cancer. In agriculture, AI monitors weather, soil and pests to optimise yields — for instance, supporting Maoming's lychee industry. In classrooms, the Squirrel AI platform personalises lessons in real time, giving each student a tailored learning path. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks during the launch of the Asean AI Malaysia Summit 2025 (AAIMS 2025) at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur on August 12, 2025. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Will AI take over jobs? Malaysia's National AI Roadmap is focused on preparing the workforce through upskilling and ethical adoption. For example, the Education Ministry has announced the introduction of AI basics in schools from 2027, supported by 10,000 smartboards nationwide and pilot projects that flag dropout risks. In classrooms, AI is already helping teachers by generating learning summaries for parents and highlighting struggling students. In offices, it assists with translations, document drafting and grammar checks. In tourism, it could one day guide visitors to halal eateries, recommend local food or provide flood alerts in real time. Experts say AI is less about replacing people and more about amplifying the workforce. Like it or not, AI is already creeping into Malaysians' daily routines — from online shopping to transport, classrooms and workplaces. The challenge ahead is not resisting the technology but preparing to use it wisely. At the end of the day, AI is not about replacing people, but about amplifying what humans can already do. For Malaysia, that future could be as personal as brewing your morning kopi-o and as public as streamlining government services — a digital assistant that makes life just a little smoother, wherever you are.
Axios
3 hours ago
- Axios
Potentially radioactive shrimp recalled at Walmarts in a dozen states
The Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday against eating certain brands of shrimp because they might be, uh, radioactive. Why it matters: This is not your chance to develop amazing crustacean-based superpowers. Any prolonged exposure to radiation could cause sickness or even death. Driving the news: The FDA said Tuesday that certain types of Great Value raw frozen shrimp sold at Walmart may be contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. U.S. Customs and Border Protection initially told the FDA that Cesium-137 had been detected in containers at four different U.S. ports, the FDA said. The FDA then found the isotope in one sample of breaded shrimp. Indonesia's BMS Foods allegedly violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA said, because the product "appears to have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with Cs-137 and may pose a safety concern." Yes, but: No shrimp that tested positive for the radioactive isotope have entered the U.S. commerce supply, according to the FDA. All products from BMS are banned "from coming into the U.S. until the firm has resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation," the FDA said. Worth noting: The FDA oversees safety of both domestic and imported seafood. The agency seeks out any immediate or potential threats when assessing products for safety. Which Walmart shrimp products are radioactive? Zoom in: The FDA shared three Great Value products that should not be shared, eaten or served to others: Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: March 15, 2027 Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: March 15, 2027 Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: March 15, 2027 Context: These were sold at stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia, according to the FDA. Walmart told Axios in an email Tuesday that it recalled the product from impacted stores and customers who purchased the shrimp are eligible for a full refund. "The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority," Kelly Hellbusch, a Walmart spokesperson, said in a statement. "We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores. We are working with the supplier to investigate." Symptoms of radiation from shrimp, Cesium-137 The FDA said the amount of Cesium-137 found in the shipment was low enough that it "would not pose an acute hazard to consumers." However, the warning "is a measure intended to reduce exposure to low-level radiation that could have health impacts with continued exposure over a long period of time," the FDA said. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, ingesting Cesium-137 can increase the risk of cancer. What to do with recalled Walmart shrimp
The Hill
5 hours ago
- The Hill
FDA warns of potentially radioactive frozen shrimp sold at Walmart
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat, sell or serve frozen shrimp sold at Walmart due to potential radioactive contamination. The FDA was alerted by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) about the detection of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in shipping containers at four U.S. ports: Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, Ga., and Miami. The FDA collected multiple samples for analysis and the results confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of breaded shrimp distributed by Indonesia's BMS Foods, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday. 'Containers and product testing positive or alerting for Cs-137 have been denied entry into the country,' the FDA said in the update. 'The agency continues to coordinate with CBP to prevent any contaminated products from reaching consumers and is working with Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to investigate the root cause of the contamination.' None of the shrimp that has entered the U.S. food supply has tested positive for Cs-137, the FDA said. The FDA suggested that all products from BMS Foods sent after the firm's containers tested positive for Cs-137 should be recalled, despite the products not testing positive for the radioactive isotope. Consumers should not eat or serve the following Great Value shrimp products sold at Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Misssisipi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia: Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005540-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027 Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005538-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027 Great Value brand frozen raw shrimp, lot code: 8005539-1, Best by Date: 3/15/2027. 'FDA has not detected Cs-137 in any product above the current derived intervention levels for Cs-137 (1200 Bq/kg); however, FDA has concluded that the level detected in the breaded shrimp sample could represent a potential health concern for those exposed to this level of Cs-137 from consumption of the shrimp over an extended period of time combined with radiation that exists in the environment and from other sources such as medical procedures,' the agency said on Tuesday.
