Kraft Heinz plans to remove all chemical dyes in 2 years

Kool-Aid and Jell-O will be affected

- JULIE CRESWELL

Some big changes are on the way for grape Kool-Aid drinks and wiggly blobs of cherry-flavoured Jell-O.

On Tuesday, Kraft Heinz, the food giant best known for its ketchup and boxed Mac & Cheese, said it would remove all chemical dyes from its products by the end of 2027.

The company said the shift would affect only about 10% of its portfolio by sales. A spokesperson confirmed it would affect brands like Kool-Aid, Jell-O, Crystal Light and other beverages and desserts that contain dyes like Red No. 40 and Blue No. 1.

Kraft Heinz is the first major food company to officially announce plans to stop using artificial colours. In April, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said he had reached “an understanding” with food manufacturers to remove commonly used artificial food dyes from their products by 2026.