We are thrilled to announce some good news about food safety! Earlier this month, Kraft announced it would be changing the recipe for its popular Kraft Macaroni and Cheese to remove all artificial coloring and synthetic preservatives from its boxed product. The move was prompted, according to Kraft, by hearing from families "who wanted to feel good about the foods they eat and serve...," said Triona Schmelter, Vice President of Marketing, Meals at Kraft, in a statement released by the company.
Your Voice Was Heard
Two years ago, Macaroni Kid National Family Safety published an article called Macaroni Madness about concerns over the safety of some of the soon-to-be-replaced ingredients, including Tartrazine (Yellow Dye #5) and Yellow Dye #6. The petroleum-based chemicals had already been banned in several other countries and were being studied for links with potential health issues, including: migraines, skin rashes, hyperactivity, cancer, and asthma. A Change.org campaign brought 365,000 signatures on a petition to Kraft, asking them to remove the suspect ingredients from their American version of the product. (Kraft had already removed them from their UK and other overseas versions of the product.)
Pepsi Removes Aspartame
Likewise bowing to consumer pressure, Pepsi has announced it will remove the controversial artificial sweetener aspartame from its Diet Pepsi, Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi, and Diet Pepsi products. Aspartame, which is used as a sweetener in almost every diet cola on the market and has been for years linked to concerns about health issues, including: headaches, migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain. Researchers have also studied aspartame for possible links to brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and other conditions. Though it is important to note that, to date, no definitive link has been established between aspartame and any of the conditions mentioned, international studies are ongoing, and public concern over the relative safety of the artificial sweetener has contributed to lower sales of diet products. Pepsi will be replacing aspartame with a blend of sucralose and other artificial sweeteners.
Whatever the impetus for change, we are very happy to hear about Kraft's and Pepsi's decisions, and we applaud you, the consumer, for letting your opinion be heard - loud and clear!
