In a mere 36 hours our petition asking Kraft to remove artificial food dyes from their line of macaroni and cheese products has gone viral and now has more than 175,000 signatures. We are so taken aback by the instant and widespread media attention on this topic, which we think indicates how this much-needed change in our Food Industry has been imminent for some time. One of the big guys just needed a little push in the right direction, and we hope this is it. (Be sure to sign the petition if you haven’t already!)
We want to take a moment to share that this petition is honestly much bigger than just macaroni and cheese or even Kraft. There are many large US companies that use artificial dyes – as well as other additives like GMOs – in their food products here that are not used overseas. Everyone from General Mills to Kellogg’s to Pepsi, McDonalds and of course Kraft, have formulated safer, better versions of their products for other countries and this petition is a vehicle to let these companies know it’s time for American consumers get the same.
Our petition in particular is focusing on an iconic food product like Kraft Macaroni and Cheese because we thought this would be the best place to start to generate public awareness. If Kraft, the largest US-based food company, takes the lead by voluntarily removing potentially harmful – yet unnecessary – artificial food dyes our hope is that the others will follow suit.
Whether or not you buy or eat this product think of those who do (the average consumer assumes products on the grocery stores shelves are completely safe and seldom reads ingredient labels). The UK version, which we made and sampled ourselves, is dyed with natural colors (paprika and beta carotene) and looks and tastes almost exactly the same. This is not about taking away anyone’s beloved mac and cheese.
Here’s The Bottom Line
Artificial food dyes are derived from petroleum, they either require a warning label or have been phased out in other developed countries due to health concerns, and they add NO value to the foods they are in whatsoever. These dyes are purely for aesthetic reasons only. Check out Lisa’s post sharing the 7 reasons to hate artificial dyes for more information.
Some Of The Comments
We’ve gotten all sorts of interesting feedback from readers and commenters about our crusade…everything from:
“Whenever my son has artificial dyes his behaviors really increase!! It is time to remove these harmful ingredients once and for all!!”
“Signed your petition and I fully support you! Thanks for opening our eyes in the US!”
To some that aren’t so positive like:
“Then just don’t buy it”
FYI – Just for the record we don’t buy it and happen to care about more than just ourselves.
And even one commenter said:
“If you dont like it dont eat it. stop messing things up for the rest of us”
Another reader “Marcie” summed it up well:
How is removing a harmful ingredient “messing things up for the rest of us”? Kraft has successfully reformulated this product in other countries without sacrificing taste.
Kraft’s Response
Kraft has responded to our petition stating that “The safety and quality of our products is our highest priority and we take consumer concerns very seriously.”
If Kraft’s “safety and quality” of their products is their “highest priority” and they “take consumer concerns very seriously,” then why have they continued to use a questionable ingredient that requires a warning label in Europe? Don’t they have a responsibility to be proactive and do the right thing for their own country’s citizens?
They also shared that they have just over a dozen versions of macaroni and cheese in the US that do not contain artificial dyes. We believe Kraft is missing the bigger issue. Approximately 30 Kraft Macaroni & Cheese products still have dangerous artificial dyes and this is unfair to the children lured by these products (over half of them showcase cartoon characters), unfair to the less fortunate who buy these products because they are cheaper, and unfair to the uneducated consumer that is unaware of these harmful ingredients.
Unbelievable Media Attention!
So we will continue to fight this fight and in case you’ve missed some of the coverage here is a little summary of the news clips!
- Good Morning America
- ABC News
- CBS News
- Fox News
- NBC Nightly News
- USA Today
- Yahoo!
- UK Daily Mail
- MSN
- Chicago Tribune
If you or anyone you know is adversely affected by the consumption of artificial food dyes we’d love to hear your story below.
And please don’t forget to sign the petition – we need every single one of you to make this happen.
Thank you for all your love, support and personal activism.
Food Babe
What ya’ll are doing is AWESOME! Thank you for all the work you do to make people more aware of what is in our food and how we can change it for the better. 😀
Thank you for your continued crusade to make food safe. I personally do not buy this product because of the chemicals and I love Mac n Cheese!
Vani- I posted this on Lisa’s blog as well. With the power you gals have, you should bring it to the FDA and try to get all food colorings banned. Then GMO labeling. You have the power to make this change!
…not only for my grandchildren but for all the children in the world. STOP DYEING FOOD.
One of my sons is allergic to artificial food dye…to the point of it being life-threatening. His breathing becomes labored, he becomes lethargic and we must have (dye-free) Benadryl and an EPI Pen Jr. on hand at all times. Fortunately, we try to eat very naturally so we were able to identify the issue fairly quickly. However, it’s very difficult to protect him from artificial food dye in public, i.e. visiting friends/family, church, schools, etc. It would be a relief to this momma if artificial food dye were out of U.S. food products. (You’d be surprised at how many people push candy on kids…make it chocolate if you do…LOL). Thanks for signing the petition! Let’s keep it going until we see change for everyone’s health.
It’s Darwinian. Listen to yourself. Maybe you should live on a farm and grow and raise all your own food for Junior. That’s the only way he will survive.
You’re talking about my son…he will survive because he knows how to eat food without artificial food dye and of course we don’t keep any in the house. However, it would make life much more simple at birthday parties, school events, etc. if there was no artificial food dye to be concerned with for his health.
Man made dyes are not natural so cannot be Darwinian. Its humans intentionally poisoning others for material gain. Thats greed.
Like Jen, my son is also severly allergic to food dye, specifically for him it is Yellow # 5 and 6. There is no nutritional value in food dyes, only a risk, and for him, it is a life threatening risk. There is always a bit of fear that someone will accidentally give him a food with this chemical, unknowingly, when it is hidden in foods like mac and cheese, pudding and yogurt, where it is not expected. I consider myself lucky to be made so aware of this issue because of my son’s allergy. However, for those that are unaware or getting these items from a food pantry, they deserve their food to be safer too…safer than what the FDA allows. When it comes to our kids, we certainly should err on the side of caution.
It’s so good to hear from someone who understands. 🙂
Get rid of the dye Kraft. …………..Please don’t send me any e-mails.
Here’s an idea…if you don’t want to eat the dye in the food, don’t buy it in the first place.
Don’t worry we don’t. But we are trying to spread the word to others that this is HARMFUL to the public’s and the their children’s health. Many people aren’t knowledgeable on the fact that it causes health problems.
GET A LIFE. If you don’t like it don’t buy it. My children ate it and guess what…they are fine as adults. They didn’t die from it. Why don’t you focus your attention on something that really matters. Seriously.
Here’s a thought. If you don’t like this blog, GET OFF IT. Your kids are lucky. Plenty of other kids, however, aren’t “fine.”
The point is no one should be eating the dye. It’s unhealthy for everyone.
I feel compelled to write a comment as I feel that this issue is extremely important. Petitions are fantastic and really can change and improve the society we live in. However, what shocks me is why anyone would feed their child this awful product in the first place. Yes, it contains artificial dyes but what about the cheese and refined pasta? Cheese/ animal milk can cause a multitude of problems in children and in later life. Milk (and all animal protein) is high in cholesterol, mucus forming, is NOT a good source of calcium as it is highly acidic and can therefore promote osteoporosis as the body tries to alkalise by drawing calcium from the bones. Refined products (white pasta) are also extremely difficult to digest as they contain little or no fibre. They stick to the intestines like glue, which is not what you want for a small child (or an adult in fact). How about looking into a much healthier way of feeding our children instead of looking for shortcuts with these refined and low in nutritional value product. A whole-food, plant-based diet is what we need to aim for to keep our children and ourselves healthy, active and happy.
We are tired of being sick. Clean up your food products.
Writing from Canada here. Our Kraft Dinner (mac n cheese) has “colour” listed in the ingredients twice. It does not specify which colours are used. I feel that this is misleading and they should say if it’s artificial or natural colouring being used. We need this stuff out of our food. For those who are being all defensive – you really need to educate yourselves. Keeping your eyes closed is not the answer.
I just stopped at Loblaws in Toronto and the Kraft Dinner – Original has “color (contains Tartrazine). That answers it.
Omg SO EXCITED!!!!!
Please remove the artificial dye from our food.
Two smart ladies are ROCKin’ the food world! Cheers to the good work and for making the REAL foodies in NC proud!
This is so incredibly exciting!!!
I just tried to sign. It said error, please try again later…
Thanks Food Babe for getting media attention on this vital issue!! Kraft & numerous other food producers needs to clean up their act now!!!!!!! We need to have the same ban that the United Kingdom and other countries have on harmful substances!!!!
Most people have no idea how messed up our food system is. These two ladies are wonderful examples of what can be done by empowering people through education. Keep it up ladies.
Most people have no idea how messed up our food system is. These two ladies are wonderful examples of what can be done by empowering people through education. Keep it up ladies!
You both are doing a great job! Of course we don’t eat it, DUH!! (to those who commented that) The whole point is that they only remove it when a country smart enough to see that Artifical dyes are not needed for nutrition OR taste! It is there to keep our children sick etc. Especially with the economy the way it is, most people look to it for a cheap meal. EVEN Organic Brands have come up with a way to make it “yellow” with Annato!! In the US, the big companies are trying to posion us and THEY know it! Keep up the fight, I am behind you!
signed the petition! and also posted about the petition on my blog (www.coffeewineandyoga.com) and Facebook page. While I dont eat things like Kraft Mac-n-Cheese; I know so many Americans (mainly CHILDREN!) do and I want to see this outcry turn into a new standard for our country’s food.
way to go FoodBabe! keep up the good work!
I am highly allergic to both food coloring and preservatives. Fortunately, I am old enough that they weren’t used when I was a child or I could never have set still through classes all day. No wonder there are so many children with problems, considering all of the cereals, drinks, etc that have food coloring and preservatives in them. Parents, it is so important to read the labels. Please watch what you are feeding your children.
Hi Vani,
I have been following you forever and I am SO thankful that you are bringing the dye issue to nation’s attention. We don’t eat products with artificial dyes, anyway, but our son is severely allergic to dyes. Like some of the comments above, we carry Benedryl (the DYE-FREE version!) and an epi-pen everywhere just in case he consumes a food product where the dye is not listed.
I have signed and spread the petition. How else can I help this movement? (Vani, I’m local…)
I agree with the basic premise behind the petition to remove additives but the product itself is processed ergo void of any nutritional value. It is time to stop making excuses about what we consume… This product (not just aspects of it) – and all other processed foods-are disease promoting and not fit for human consumption. Each individual needs to take responsibility for their own health and wellness and also the for the welfare of family members that have been entrusted to their care. With that said, I support yours and any effort to eradicate our standard American diet (SAD)-appropriate acronym- of its poisonous, nutritionally deficient, commercially profitable “junk food” supply.
This is in part the reason that we have quit buying most of our food from stores. Several years ago we started to grow our own veggies and can, dry and freeze them. Then we fenced in a pasture and started to raise our own chickens, sheep, cows and pigs. We just decided that we did not want to eat GMO & Growth hormones and all the artificial food stuff. We also are going to start growing our own wheat and garbanzo beans this year. Currently we are still buying flower, sugar, rice, spices, yeast, rolled oats, pastas & milk at the stores. It has taken us lots of time and work as well as a learning curve to accomplish what we have but the food is much tastier and it has been fun. Another reason we decided to go this way was because we wanted a healthier life for our daughter as well as our selves.
I just went through my cupboards and removed the Kraft Dinner. I started looking at other foods and it’s so sad and astonishing what is in “food”. I wish I could find a list of the top 5 or 10 ingredients to avoid. It is overwhelming when every ingredient sounds like a chemical. I have removed everything with artificial colours (but what about artificial flavours?), MSG, glucose-fructose, sulfites. But what else should I be worried about? It’s hard to know where to start.
won’t buy any more till you get the dye out !!!!
Many thanks, Food Babe! This is great and important work!
Glad attention was brought to this subject! I’ve heard of all these dyes causing problems and why should this be shoved down our throats! This is why people go to places like Whole Foods.
Thank you!! You are a pioneer!! Im excited to say that on a quick stop to walmart tonight they have so many more organic productd available!! Even a store brand organic milk. ( maybe ive never noticed before?) Any advice on how to start getting hospitals to start serving better food?? I work at a hospital and Im severely disgusted by what they serve the patients and staff. Id love to start a food revolution small scale but i have no idea how to start!
Thank you so much for doing this! I have signed the petition and have my husband signed too, also shared on my facebook. We need more healthy food choices in this country.
Oh! Love this petition! Doesn’t it suck when one must petition to achieve “safe” food?
Ridiculous!
Not only is the UK version healthier and “safer,” but it’s also prettier.
I don’t do dairy or pasta, but I shall, indeed, sign the petition for the former Kraft girl in me. And for all those youngsters who shall be eating it, unknowingly intoxicating their bodies.
Merci!
Go natural
Hmm, I don’t think it’s a coincidence it is called food DYE. They thought they could trick us by spelling it dye instead of DIE. Thanks to you ladies, everyone will learn the truth 🙂 Thank you for all you do!
Thank you for caring about others and our health, and educating us on what we are eating!! I love my family and I would not want to be responsible for poisoning them and myself!!
speaking as a chemist its really not the end of the world. and i agree with the others if you don’t like it don’t buy it. i know whats in it and i don’t care. when i want blue box i buy it and i fully know the consequences.
What took somone so long to realize this? I stopped eating all kinds of processed foods YEARS ago. These dyes are the least of the crap the food companies are putting in our foods. What about the hydrogenated oils, which are still in damn near everything that’s manufactured. MSG still used in anything flavored. Fillers/thickening agents like carrageenan that are in stuff that’s supposed to be healthy like yogurt, and anything creamy. Aspartame and suclarose in nearly everything that’s sugarless, or has reduced sugar. I looked at Dole natural fruit cups the other day. They have one line that says no sugar added. In that, aspartame is added. What is puzzling is that the regular line doesn’t list sugar as an ingredient in the first place. How about cold cuts? Nothing healthy about this crap at all. Chopped, processed, full of fillers, chemicals, additives, and preservatives. How about pickles? Pickling is a form of food preservation. Yet, all the pickles made by the big companies are full of preservatives. Our food supply is disgusting, and the FDA is a JOKE.
So what will the next petition be for? This should keep happening until every company has removed artificial food dyes from our foods! Thank you,
I’ve found this website because I’m made a decision to be selective with the food I eat. I’ve found some helpful information here and the comments suggest most readers are fairly well-informed. However, this petition does not sit well with me because I feel that it misses the bigger picture; attacking a symptom instead of the illness.
Foodbabe states that in the US, “(the average consumer assumes products on the grocery stores shelves are completely safe and seldom reads ingredient labels).” I would venture to say that the average consumer wouldn’t understand the ingredient label even if they did read it. The problem in the United States is that most people are happily uninformed and want someone else to do the thinking for them.
The idea of petitioning a company to remove these ingredients (if you can call them that) for the good of all Americans is something I don’t agree with or think will be effective. Kraft is a business which exists to make money, so the most effective method would be to vote with your wallet. Their response letter alludes to this by stating the number of choices offered with differing ingredients cause they are not going to make something that doesn’t sell. Foodbabe says that Kraft misses the big picture but, unfortunately, I think she does by classifying comments that advocate for voting through free choice as less than positive.
I take the most issue with the underlying message that Americans are hopelessly uneducated and our children unable to resist the power of a cartoon character (parents are the ones with the money though so I don’t know how valid this point is anyway) that we can not make our own decisions and, therefore, people that do ‘know’ should all sign a petition to force Kraft to make that choice for those that don’t know or don’t want to know.
**I must say that Foodbabe’s third point that the financially less fortunate can’t afford the good MAC – I don’t know anything about the relationship between Kraft’s different MAC product’s ingredients and prices so maybe it is valid. If someone wanted to spend a few hours in the supermarket to determine the cost of additive-free MAC, I would love to know the results.**
The abundance of random chemical additives for aesthetic purposes in processed food reflect the ignorance many Americans have to proper nutrition and healthy eating. In other words, don’t hate the mirror cause you are ugly (this is not an attack, it is just a saying, you are beautiful!). Combat ignorance and not Kraft foods.
If you don’t want to eat the product that Kraft is already producing, then don’t buy it. This petition is absolutely ridiculous. There are plenty of alternatives to Kraft. I choose to continue to buy Kraft because I support the product they already make. Maybe people should focus on important issues rather than this BS…
Why not just replace the coloring with a pinch of turmeric in the cheese powder?
i actually snorted out loud (with laughter) when i read the “stop messing things up for the rest of us”. wow.
Itried to sign the petition but it would not come up.ALL artificial dyes sweeteners and additives need to be removed from our foods.They are linked to many different disorders.
Dr. Oz was on my local radio station this morning, and was talking about your Craft Mac n Cheese petition! I was so excited! And oddly felt like I personally knew the master mind behind it because I follow your blog and your Facebook page (along with 100 Days of Food) haha!! Keep up the good work! The word is spreading!
the story was on my MSN headlines today!! Great job bringing attention to this issue!
I am perplexed as to why people are against replacing a chemical coloring with a natural one. It is not like the girls are asking you to stop eating mac and cheese all together…and in their test tastes they say it tastes essentially the same. I don’t understand the problem… I would have to disagree with the fact that there are no ill effects from highly processed food however…. And there must be some pull of power with the cartoon characters, because if they didn’t help sell junk food , the industry wouldn’t use them. Its all about their bottom line…cheapest food, longest shelf life, increasing sales….
PLEASE START A PETITION FOR BPA PLASTIC ADDITIVE
So I think what ur doing is great – I do however think the bigger issue is gmo – if u are making a powerful movement please add that in – its far more dangerous than the artificial coloring AND they wont even tell us its in there!!!! Keep up the inspiration!!!
the story was on my face book page today!! Great job bringing attention to this issue!
Saw it on face book.