Hi there, this is Lisa Leake from 100DaysofRealFood.com and Vani Hari from FoodBabe.com. We recently discovered that several American food products contain harmful additives that are not used – and in some cases banned – in other countries. One of those products is an iconic staple that almost every American, us included, has had at one time or another: Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.
In the US, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese contains the artificial food dyes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. These unnecessary - yet potentially harmful - dyes are not in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in other countries, including the UK, because they were removed due to consumer outcry. Kraft reformulated their product for the UK, but not for their fellow American citizens, and it’s time we demand the same here in the US!
-
We are petitioning Kraft to remove all artificial food dyes
from their line of macaroni and cheese products.
Kraft Foods is the largest food company headquartered here in the United States. If Kraft changes their Macaroni and Cheese formula, we know this could inspire other US food companies to follow suit and finally eliminate dangerous artificial food dyes once and for all.
Here are the reasons why Kraft needs to remove Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 from their entire line of Macaroni and Cheese:
Artificial food dyes...
- Are man-made in a lab with chemicals derived from petroleum (a crude oil product, which also happens to be used in gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt, and tar).
- Require a warning label in other countries outside the US.
- Have been banned in countries like Norway and Austria (and are being phased out in the UK).
- Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 specifically are contaminated with known carcinogens (a.k.a. an agent directly involved in causing cancer).
- Cause an increase in hyperactivity in children.
- Have a negative impact on children's ability to learn.
- Have been linked to long-term health problems such as asthma, skin rashes, and migraines.
- Add absolutely no value to the foods we are eating and are used solely for aesthetic purposes only.
To prove this last point we personally tested both the US and UK versions of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and found little difference in color and virtually no difference in taste (see for yourself in the video below).
So please…
- Go to our petition page and sign your name.
- Share our petition with your family and friends!
- Watch our video below to learn more about our mission (and see us taste test the two different mac & cheese products ourselves).
We both grew up eating this product - I even used to feed it to my kids - and it’s available at almost every grocery store across the country. Our kids deserve the same safer version that our friends get overseas!
Join us and demand this change by signing this petition now.
Thank you for all your support - together we can make a difference.
ghg says
gfghh
Jackie Abend says
I would never buy any product with artificial ingredients in it. Why do you have to add these? They are very harmful to us and not necessary. Change to real food.
tina oberdorf says
Our children are becoming ill because of all the junk put in our foods ,what about MPC here is another ingredient you use,MY family does not us any of your products.I will continue to tell everyone NOT to buy KRAFT products.For the readers on this site look up the dangers of MPC.....
Amy says
If you're reading a blog about eating real food, you automatically fall into a very small percentage of individuals that are concerned about their food choices. Even though your family may not personally purchase processed food, think of all the families that cannot afford the luxury of this choice. Many families lack the education or the financial resources to purchase healthier options. Food banks are great for getting food on the table, but often times families get a lot of processed foods (cheap and lots of surplus). I think any food is better than hunger, but I also believe that these families deserve better. Let's get rid of harmful dyes, chemicals, etc. so that all families can be healthier.
LAW says
Very well said.
Less Sugar Naturally says
I'm a little conflicted on this one.
On the one hand, why would I sign a petition for a product I wouldn't buy even without the dyes. Most of the ingredients in Kraft dinner are terrible.
..but then I think of how ignorant I was about all this stuff just two years ago...blissfully thinking there were government people making sure our food was safe. I trusted in that.
Reading posts like this leave me feeling sad for everyone out there getting sicker and sicker and proud of all the awesome food detectives and caring parents that always comment here!
Told you I was left conflicted.
Kym says
Would love it if you help start a petition on aspartame in milk that the dairy industry is trying to push. At least with Kraft it is very easy for most to just not buy it. Milk is another story. No local farms anywhere near where we live. Our milk has to come from the store. I don't know what we will do if that passes.
Kim Rice says
Kym! I couldn't agree more! That article about the additives the dairy industry is pushing literally enraged me (and that is rather hard to do being a peacenik!).
Kristy Kelley says
Thank you so much for doing this. We also vote with our dollars and would NEVER buy Kraft products or any other processed foods BUT we want to spread the word and let Big Food companies know that what they are doing is not going unnoticed and we aren't going to stand for it anymore.
I also want to make sure these processed foods are cleaned up in case these foods are fed to my children without my knowing it (preschool, friend's houses etc.)
Thanks again for what you're doing.
Kristy
Laura L says
Kraft makes an organic version of their mac & cheese. At least they are providing that option, so we have a choice.
Cholemarie says
Organic also contains dyes and additives :( it kind of cancels it out.Not much of option. Though there are some out there, I choose to make my own.
Jason Leake with 100 Days of Real Food says
Their organic version does not contain artificial dyes.
Michael says
Here is a thought, if you dont like it dont buy it. That will send a message. You have every right to make your own fresh.
Jason Leake with 100 Days of Real Food says
Michael - We don't buy Kraft Mac & Cheese (although we did years ago), and you are right, voting with your dollars is very important! In addition to voting with our dollars, we are sending a louder message with this petition. The point is to also educate others along the way, and if we can get Kraft to listen we hope other processed food manufacturers will follow suit. Unfortunately a lot of Americans just assume the government is ensuring the safety of all foods available in their grocery stores.
Note we do make our own mac and cheese...the recipe is at the bottom of the post and here again if you'd like to try it https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/12/31/recipe-whole-wheat-macaroni-and-cheese/.
Dominique Lapierre says
What about Canadian mac and cheese?
Stephen R. Sprague says
One Mac & Cheddar for ALL people! Why poison Anybody with food?
Tracy tonner says
My family and I prefer to eat foods free of artificial flavors and ingredients. Kraft is a respected company. Please take a stand for your consumers by making delicious foods without the artificial ingredients.
Cathey Ashley says
How about Kraft getting rid of the toxic dyes and all of the GMO's from their product. Sell us the same products that you sell in Great Britain. Be a leader in the food industry, and blaze a path that the American citizens can look to as a large corporation looking out for their customers welfare-rather than their own bottom line. I feel certain that you could accomplish both at the saame time.
Robin jingjit says
Couldn't have been easier, thank you! I signed
Critical Reader says
Lisa & Food Babe,
is it for once possible, that you guys do the minimum amount of research before posting an article? Yellow 5 (tartrazine) is NOT banned in the European Union. It used to be banned in Germany and Austria, but the EFSA (European Food and Safety Authority) declared it as safe and the ban was hence overruled.
In general I agree, Mac and Cheese (or virtually any other foods) do not need artificial (or natural) food dyes, and it is a shame that companies swamp the US market with that crap. However, I am getting tired of those alarming articles who blindly rely on information somewhere found on the www. Don't we readers deserve some more effort on your part, i.e. that you cite some primary data and not some information found in 5-year old newspaper articles? How difficult is it to check the food dyes allowed in the EU?
Greetings from the EU - we are currently struggling with horse meat found in processed food that was labeled as beef, cattle fed with thousands of tons of highly aflatoxin contaminated corn, and a large-scale relabeling of cheap eggs as organic eggs. Not to forget the mafia style olive oil scams we normally get to hear during silly season. I am not sure if Europe is really that good of an example....
Lisa says
Critical Reader - WHERE did we say Yellow 5 is "banned" in the entire European Union? Sounds like you need to do some closer reading/research yourself. Here is a quote directly from Kraft Foods UK (which backs up what we said about them PHASING IT OUT):
“Kraft Foods UK has no products aimed at children that contain the ingredients highlighted in the FSA [Southampton] study. . . . [W]ith our recent Lunchables reformulation in the UK, we reduced fat and salt, as well as removed artificial colours and flavours. Without compromising quality, taste and food safety, we will continue to see where we can make changes and still meet consumer expectations.â€â€”Kraft Foods UK
Rick says
Critical Reader did not post you claimed this.
"WHERE did we say Yellow 5 is “banned†in the entire European Union?"
They merely pointed out one country and ban was lifted. If this is factually incorrect, could you counter it please?
What you said
"that are not used – and in some cases banned – in other countries. One of those products is an iconic staple that almost every American, us included, has had at one time or another: Kraft Macaroni and Cheese."
That is pretty all encompassing. If I read the poster's response right, neither of them are currently banned.
I agree with your sentiments. It should be a simple matter to switch to something with less health risks. Beta-carotene comes to mind as a reasonable substitution if they insist on the product being yellow/orange. Nothing wrong with white colored cheese sauce of course.
Critical Reader says
Lisa,
I never wrote, that you claimed that yellow 5 was banned in the entire EU. However, you claim it is banned in Austria (I leave Norway out as it is not a member of the EU) and "phased out" in the UK. About 15 years ago, each European Union member country had its own food regulation, then food regulation was harmonized and member states now have to obey European law. As already said, the EFSA declared yellow 5 as safe, and hence it is allowed in the entire EU, including Austria and the UK. However, UK companies voluntarily (!) leave yellow 5 and some other dyes out of their products.
Lisa says
Critical Reader - I am not sure where you are going with this. Click the links above to check our sources. We spent a great deal of time putting this project together in an effort to affect POSITIVE change in the food industry. This post is about signing a petition to remove unnecessary artificial dyes from an iconic American food product. If you don't agree and think artificial dyes are just fine in our food then don't sign it (and move on) - it's that simple. But trying to pick apart one of our claims (where the original source is documented above) adds absolutely no value to what could hopefully be a big step in the right direction for the American Food Industry. I see your frequent rebuttals on my blog posts and if you want to continue to post here I think it's time you use your real name and picture rather than hide behind the "critical reader" persona. I willingly put myself out there with every single post I write, and its time you do the same if you want to continue to be part of the conversation.
Critical Reader says
Lisa, again, I agree with you, artificial and natural food dyes are for most products absolutely unnecessary. For that reason, I would support any initiative that approaches food companies and asks them to omit unnecessary dyes and other additives. But I would not support an initiative that is based on scare tactics, false claims and poor or even non-existent research. The end does not justify the means.
Your following statements are clearly false and please correct me if you think I am wrong. The other statements are more a matter of debate, so I'll leave them out for right now.
"Artificial food dyes require a warning label in other countries outside the US" - The EU requires a warning label for its 6 allowed azo-dyes; the other 8 artificial dyes do not require a labeling. As a comparison, the US only allows 9 artificial food colorings, 3 of those (Yellow 5 and 6, Red 40) are azo-dyes and would require a warning under EU law.
"Artificial food dyes have been banned in countries like Norway and Austria (and are being phased out in the UK)" - The EU allows more artificial food dyes (14) than the US (9). Narrowing the statement down to azo-dyes, see comments before.
"Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 specifically are contaminated with known carcinogens" - the carcinogens you are referring to are aniline and benzidine; contamination with those is an issue for dyes used in clothing industry etc. but it does not seem to be an issue for food dyes: Lancaster & Lawrence (1999) are reporting trace amounts of benzidine in two food colorings.
You do document your sources, but not a single one of them is a primary source. You publish so many good articles about nutrition in general, you wonderfully question old and often outdated believes, etc., but as soon as it comes to food regulatory and safety issues, you jump on to everything you can find on the www, without ever questioning what you are reading.
Concerning your demand to disclose my name and picture, if I was called Lisa Smith and/or if I was a waiter/nurse/realtor/etc. I would be more than willing to do so. However, I am in the unfavorable condition of having a very unique name and calling Big Food/Big Agro my employers, so appearing publicly on this forum might not be a good choice for me. I got your message, you prefer readers that just press the "Like" button. Good luck with your campaign.
Cathie says
Critical Reader,
Why do you read this blog? Your posts are ALWAYS to criticize and pick apart whatever is written. This blog is about real food. Clearly, you are not interested in that so please go troll somewhere else. I don't always agree with everything posted, but I take what I want and then move on. I appreciate all the time Lisa and her team take to educate and encourage. I DON'T appreciate your constant belittling of Lisa and at times Vani.
Critical Reader says
Cathie, any type of critique I have expressed so far was well funded and documented. Please read my previous post and correct me, if I any of my issues raised are wrong. Yes, I have heavily criticized Vani's last article and again, the critique I have expressed was well funded. In addition, many other readers have pointed out the deceptiveness of Vani's last article.
Why do I read this blog? Many fellow Moms asked me how I manage to raise a family as a single, full-time working parent and still cook as good as every meal from scratch. I used to refer those people to Lisa's blog as I find her early work excellent. Why does it bug me, that there is so much false information on this site? If Lisa was a mere private blogger, I could care less. She does not have to justify her believes. However, Lisa and Vani are taking it a step above private blogging. They want to be heard, demand change and try to get others on their boat with false information. I do not think, that they are trying to be deceptive, just a little bit too quick with their writings and conclusions. IMHO, a large readership comes with responsibility and would require a thorough studying of the subjects.
Kelly says
Critical Reader says: "any type of critique I have expressed so far was well funded" and then again "the critique I have expressed was well funded".
How does a single mom working full time and making 3 square meals from scratch have time to post large replies over and over? Perhaps if said mom is PAID (or "well funded"?) to post such replies.
The big companies pay people to troll websites like Lisa's and Vani's to post messages that break down trust and cause conflict in the reader. As Lisa's blog grows and the REALFOOD movement gains momentum, the trolling is just going to get worse.
Readers of 100days: PLEASE don't let the big "food" companies win again! Feel free to do your own research and then, if you agree with Lisa, come back and sign her petition.
The bottom line is this: Kraft has the ability to manufacture foods that contain real ingredients for Americans, but choose not to. Why? (I think we all know that answer to that......)
Meredith says
I support Lisa's efforts, and also appreciate the constructive criticisms of "Critical Reader." There is nothing more frustrating than a worthwhile cause losing credibility because supporters make claims that aren't entirely accurate. There are so many factually-sound reasons to support the removal of dyes and chemicals from our food, there is no need to overreach. I agree with nearly every observation Lisa has regarding real food, but while I enjoy Vani's perspective I'm often uncomfortable with her methodology and the authorities she cites.
Critical Reader says
Somebody paying me for posting here - wishful thinking;-)
The EU allows more artificial dyes in their foods than the US does, but they are not as frequently used in the EU for two reasons. Firstly, consumers won't buy artificial dyes, so producers are forced to switch to "natural" alternatives like chlorophyll, carotenoids, cochenille, curcumine, etc. (examples: M&Ms are colored with natural dyes in Europe and with artificial dyes in the US; Haribo gummy bears don't contain any dyes in Europe, but three artificial dyes in the US version). Secondly, US Americans are more drawn to colorful food than their European friends. Do a google picture search with the words "christmas cookies" and "Weihnachtsplaetzchen" (German for christmas cookies), the result is quite impressive.
I do not criticize Lisa&Vani's demand for cutting out artificial dyes, but I have a problem with the methodology. The two somewhat imply that food companies are cheating on us, but at the same time I feel cheated and mislead by especially Vani's articles. They frequently contain wrong and misleading information. Cathy, you might not like my bitching here, but again, please tell me where I am factually wrong with my critique.
Why were all the exaggerations in this article necessary? Lisa & Vani could have written an excellent article by simply referring to the original "Southampton Study" and checking the laws and practices in both countries. Exaggerations and poor sources made the article weaker than it could have been.
Lisa says
Critical Reader - This is where you've got YOUR research wrong. Nothing in our article is "exaggerated," all our references are well documented above, and we purposely did not refer to the Southampton Study because for that study, "Scientists at Europe’s food safety watchdog have completed an assessment of a recent study[1] on the effect of two mixtures of certain food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate[2] on children’s behaviour." And Kraft Macaroni and Cheese only contains the dyes NOT sodium benzoate. Contrary to your belief Vani and I do actually do our research.
LAW says
I have to agree with Critical Reader. When this blog takes an impassioned view (particularly a guest writer here) it always seems to have some information that is not well documented or the conclusion drawn is exaggerated vs the source. I'll give an example "Causes an increase in hyperactivity." That is incomplete. They have found it to increase hyperactivity in SOME children who ALREADY have been diagnosed with hyperactivity. Children not already diagnosted with hyperactivity have not been shown to be impacted. Doesn't mean it's not a a great idea to get rid of the chemical, but the statement's not fair and balanced.
The intent of pointing out all these things is not because we don't agree with the desire to reduce/eliminate harmful and even questionable ingredients. I fully support it and that's why I read this blog. (Less, so when I find inflammatory posts like this one.) The point is that when statements are made in that post that a reader who is "on the fence" can find exaggerations or not scientifically proven inferences, then they focus on that and have proven to themselves that the entire concept of natural being healthy is a bunch of overzealous nuts who have too much time on their hands. They are not going to look at the other sources that might be right on target. They want to protect their reality. They look FOR the weak points so that they can dismiss the whole concept. I know this because I was that person.
And if you want real food options, and options that are affordable, and healthier alternatives for kids whose parents aren't as informed (as this petition would be a great step in that directio), then the goal is to bring more people into the fold. Telling people if they dont' like it to get off the blog, defeats that purpose. Preaching to the choir doesn't advance the goals that blogs like this were created to do. This blog is part of why I converted to whole foods. I'm not sure this article would have swayed me at all. You do a great job at fighting the good fight. This isn't your best work.
Critical Reader says
Yes, it is true, the Southampton study used mixtures of several food dyes and benzoate. Therefore, it is impossible to tell which of the chemicals by itself or which chemical combination is the culprit. The study was enough for the EU to take action and require warning labels of azo-dyes independent of the presence of benzoate. You say, that you did not include the Southampton study, because Kraft's Mac and Cheese do not contain benzoate. I do not comprehend your conclusion, that the presence of benzoate is necessary for the negative effects. But if you think so, wouldn't it be logical to re-phrase or better cancel your claim that "Food dyes cause an increase in hyperactivity"? You give the CSPI-report as reference for your hyperactivity claim. Besides the fact, that this report clearly states that "we do not report neurobehavioral toxicity", in their brief summary about that matter they are citing what? The Southampton study!
And another two examples of your poor research:
You: "Food dyes have a negative impact on children to learn".
Reference: CSPI-report. BUT: The report does not discuss the learning abilities of children. May I assume, that you cited the wrong reference or is that sentence a product of your imagination?
You: "Food dyes have been linked to long-term health problems such as asthma, skin rashes, and migraines."
Reference: cbcnews online article from 2008 (great source), which states "research has linked it (Yellow 5) to asthma, skin rashes, and migraines" - a reference for that statement is not given.
The CSPI-report and an EFSA evaluation (http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/1331.pdf) of Yellow 5 do not support the above statement. However, they both explain, that there are people who are hypersensitive to Yellow 5. I assume, those hypersensitivity reactions were misrepresented in the cbcnews article as "research has linked it to asthma, skin rashes, and migraines." And you guys had to top it off by adding "long-term health problems" to it. I call that exaggeration.
I don't get it, you have a 58-page CSPI-report with plenty of ammunition and you still see the need to exaggerate?
Deanna says
I would love to sign the petition, even though our family does not eat Kraft products, I wanted to sign the petition for people who do. However, I do not want to give out that much personal information. Good luck and it looks like you will reach your goal! I hope Kraft listens, not just with this one product.
B says
For those not wanting to give that information away on the petition you can always send a e-mail to the kraft company showing your support.
April Nava says
Wow. This is great and so needed! Can you do Kellogg's next? I got so upset when I found out that a lot of the Kellogg's products are available, like Kraft, in other countries without the harmful food additives. So frustrating!
Ellen says
I am all for fixing this problem but don't you think if it is banned in other countries maybe there is a bigger stand than just Kraft? Why not petition for this to be a warning label on all our foods in the US? Just wondering?
Lisa says
Ellen - Because that would be A LOT harder to accomplish. Requesting change from a specific company regarding a specific product is actually attainable and since Kraft is the largest American food company others will (hopefully) follow their lead. I hope that makes sense.
Lisa says
Thanks for taking a stand. It is time we come together and hold corporations accountable for what they put in the products they sell to America's families. I try to educate my friends and their families to take the time to make real food, delicious food, but it's a long road. I applaud the steps you are taking to speak out and provide information to those who may not know what is really going on in the world of corporate food giants. It is time we all speak out and change the way we feed our families...buy in bulk, grow some food, share some food, eat meals together, cook together, teach each other and be the change. It doesn't have to cost a fortune, but it does take some time and planning. It all begins with a small step and then before you know it, you're hooked on real food! Let the journey begin...
Tara says
I'm not sure where you got your info about the UK version of this, but we do NOT have this product in this country. I am a Canadian, and according to the internet, we Canuck's buy this product more than any country in the world. Yes, we like our KD (Kraft Dinner we call it), so being the devotee I am (I know it is soooo unhealthy, but I like it for a treat every now and then) when I moved here I was very sad to see it is NOT sold in the UK.
Proper imported Kraft M&C can be bought from the odd candy store that sells American imports (alongside Nerds and Reese Cups, etc), and I've seen it on a couple import website that specialize in seling American junk food, but they all charge exorbitant prices--http://www.americangrocery.co.uk/kraft-macaroni-cheese-206g-603-p.asp
I googled this Kraft Cheesey Pasta in your photo and it is ONLY available on Amazon and Ebay--likely importing from the Middle East or something. Trust me, England would never put and E in CHEESY.
So, I think your post is great. I am all about eating healthy and cutting processed foods (just the odd treat!), but I just think your comparison to the UK's version is quite off. I have seen Wikipedia says it is called that in the UK, but remember, wiki is just written by anybody.
Thank you for your great posts, though!
Tara says
Thanks for your reply. I understand your friend bought it here, but I'm guessing she did not by it in a mainstream grocery store, but at a store specializing in imports and such. This is definitely not a product in this country. I even went to the Kraft Foods website and it is not there, even in the Europe website. So I just don't get where this information about 'a public outcry' came from! Or maybe it is available in Scotland or Ireland or something? But again, it is on no websites, only import websites and Amazon and Ebay. Even I have seen the American blue box variety in the UK, but in expat stores for insano prices! Sorry, I'm not trying to be awkward, just a bit surprised about the public outcry bit.
Lisa says
Tara - Here is the direct quote from Kraft Foods UK:
"Kraft Foods UK has no products aimed at children that contain the ingredients highlighted in the FSA [Southampton] study. . . . [W]ith our recent Lunchables reformulation in the UK, we reduced fat and salt, as well as removed artificial colours and flavours. Without compromising quality, taste and food safety, we will continue to see where we can make changes and still meet consumer expectations.â€â€”Kraft Foods UK
This is where this quote is documented: http://www.allergykids.com/blog/serving-up-food-dyes-uk-style/
The outcry wasn't just mac and cheese specifically, but ALL Kraft products (including mac and cheese).
Lisa says
Tara - You might find this link of interest as well: http://www.allergykids.com/uncategorized/bring-back-the-fun-the-mac-and-cheese-served-to-uk-kids/
Food Babe says
Hi Tara - I just wanted to add to Lisa's already very important points and articles she shared with you proving that Kraft is purposefully reformulating products in the UK but not here.
Here's a link to a picture of the box, the mac & cheese came in that was sent to us from the U.K. - As you can see - it reads " Kraft Foods U.K." right on the box.
http://cdn.foodbabe.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/kraftukmaccheese.jpg
This product was made specifically for the U.K. - I'm sorry you can't find it in your local store. Please don't try to undermine our petition - we want change and we know if we start with the biggest food company headquartered in the US, we have a chance to eliminate artificial food dyes for good.
Sheila says
You probably eat that Kraft Dinner with ketchup too, don't you! :)
Tara says
Haha, No i DO NOT eat with ketchup!! Never quite understood my friends that did/do! EWW!
As for the other discussion going on here, I concede defeat. I certainly do not intend to undermine your petition. I think it is very noble and pro-active and great and I hope Kraft listens and follows through and other companies as well. I just wanted to make sure you had the facts straight so they couldn't come back and say the product doesn't exist here. It makes no sense to me why when I google the product it does not seem to exist, nor can i find it in any of the major shopping chains (in-store nor online). Very strange indeed. And i do a lot of my grocery shopping online, as well, and generally all products are listed there. Maybe they sell it up north or something. I'm clueless (but tempted to buy it on Amazon now that I know it is there!!!). haha.
God bless you guys with your petition. I hope you have a great week best of luck! Make some change!
Lisa says
Thank you for that Tara. In reality this is not really about macaroni and cheese :) This is about removing an unnecessary ingredient from our food products that is not used in other countries and in America we thought macaroni and cheese would be a good place to start!
Jackie says
Signed ... I really wish the US would care about we are eating. If countries can do it we can. I feel more people need to be educated on this issue.
Sarah Rallo says
I wish I could figure out how to sign the petition? Any advice?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Sarah. It should be as easy as going here: https://www.change.org/petitions/kraft-stop-using-dangerous-food-dyes-in-our-mac-cheese. You'll have to fill out a little info but that should be it. Let us know if you are still having trouble. ~Amy
HeatherV says
I signed the petition. I'm from Canada so I hope it still counts. Let's pray that what they do filters up north of the border to us too.
Rebekah Ponce says
Thanks for awareness! I am not sure Lisa if you read the comments that were left on your Facebook about milk. While the additives in food products is a huge issue, there is a choice whether or not to buy it. We all eat dairy products, and children are given the milk in every school. I wish you would get the word out about signing that petition. If it passes no one will know if the flavored milk at their child's school contains aspartame. This affects a large portion of our country. It will include 17 other milk products. Not everyone can afford organic, but it does not mean that ingredients should be left off the label for products with sugar. Aspartame can affect our health horribly, even worse than the obesity epidemic they say it will help. Please read those posts and lets change something that will affect all school children. Thanks!
Kristin says
I'd love a link to the aspartame milk petition as well! I won't let my kids touch it as I don't think it's healthy, but my husband goes through a half gallon per week. I found a BHG free, real sugar version as I can't afford organic. Scary to think aspartame could soon be hidden in there.
While they are at it, if the federal government is seriously looking for a way to make flavored milk healthier for children, just take it out of school lunch programs all together! It is recommended to keep children's daily added sugar intake at 3 teaspoons or less and a carton of chocolate milk contains more then 1 1/2 teaspoons of added sugar per serving! (I subtracted the naturally occurring milk sugars listed in white milk from the sugar total in chocolate milk to figure out the added amount of sugar)
Marie says
I make home made mac and cheese when ever I can. So simple and easy. If you have pasta, cheese, buter, milk, and a little flour; that is all you need! But we do also buy Annie's Homegrown Organic mac and cheese or shells and cheddar to have on hand in a pinch. It is also colored with organic annatto extract. And I recently saw a 12 pack of assorted regular Annie's mac and cheese, shells and cheddar, and shells and white cheddar at costco for $10. I think I would rather pay a little more for the organic non gmo ingredients than eat what kraft is serving you.
Amber says
Yes, I agree with T.....that is what I was going to say also.
And it DOES help to sign a petition, not just stop buying the product.....because there are so many Americans who are uneducated about the food they are buying. If we care about others, then we do what we can to benefit EVERYONE, not just ourselves.
And it's just the principle of it too! If it's harmful to people in other countries, it's harmful for America too! And you have to start somewhere, one step at a time.
Jen says
Did you know Cadburys (also owned by Kraft) chocolates in the UK are all made with Fair Trade cocoa? I'm not talking about $6 bars you find at Whole Foods, but all the 50c bars you pick up at the grocery checkout line. All of them. They are already making all of their products in a much healthier, safer and still profitable way overseas. It's very possible for them to change their US products, they just choose not to.
Jamie says
Actually, Cadbury is no longer owned by Kraft. The company split and took a new name. Though I still agree it is possible for them to change their products.
Valerie says
I was reading labels more at the store the other day and out of curiosity I was looking at those various Kraft Mac&Cheese boxes. I noticed that the "White Cheddar" version has no artificial colors added.
Laura S says
We joke and tell the kids it's "radioactive cheese" and avoid it like the plague.
Zia says
So, you consider Kraft Mac & Cheese "real food"? And the only ingredient of concern to you is the food dye?
Lisa says
No Zia, I do not consider Kraft Mac & Cheese to be real food (nor is dye the only concern), but for Americans who do buy this product they simply deserve better. It's the principle, and this is one small step in the right direction to fix our food system.
T says
Lisa, I hope you saw my post below in reply to Zia.
Lisa says
Thank you T! :)
T says
Zia, I dont think she considers it real food, nor is she promoting it as such. I think the point is that TONS AND TONS of people are going to continue to eat Kraft mac and cheese-people that are uneducated about food and where it comes from and how it is made. We have not been taught as a nation to read ingredients, but to look at calories, carbs, fat etc. SO the benefit would be for those that are getting sicker and sicker that may never read blogs about nutrition or are not financially able to buy organic pasta, cheese, milk etc to make mac and cheese. There is benefit regardless of a few followers that would not buy it anyway. Dye or no dye. But it will help those that are uninformed.
Autumn says
Thank you for starting this petition, it is time we all take a stand over what our nation is offering our families!
pamela says
This is also the case for other major companies like Mars Corp and Pepsico. Skittles/Starbursts in the EU have all natural colors because they are banned... but here in the US we allow the artificial colors. Orange Fanta in Europe is colored with pumpkin and carrot... while we use artificial dye!
SC says
This is another thing I was thinking about. I LOVE mini M&M's, but I didn't realize until recently that the dyes were so closely related to such dangerous things. I would do love it if they replaced the dyes with carrot or pumpkin. I hate that for now I won't feel comfortable buying it. I just ate the last of these yesterday:(.
carolyn says
Great video! You ladies are an inspiration. I will sign the petition and send to everyone I know. Thank you for all you do.
Frances says
Hey here's an idea! If you don't like what's in it don't buy it! Let the company figure out why sales are dropping and fix the problem on their own rather than having people tell them what to do with their product.
Ashley says
People keep saying this...but we still need to look out for those who can't afford to make their own, or don't think they have time to or just don't understand that it's unhealthy. We don't buy anything by Kraft at our house, I don't even eat macaroni and cheese. But I signed this for the kids whose parents for one reason or another buy Kraft mac n cheese. The kids don't have a choice in what they are offered to eat for dinner.
Just because a lot of folks buying this stuff don't understand that it's potentially unhealthy for their children doesn't mean we should let Kraft put whatever dangerous chemicals they want in it. Those of us that do understand should do whatever we can to help even though we don't buy it. Most people reading this blog are already not buying Kraft.
Many families receive Kraft mac n cheese in food donation baskets. How many times do you see Kraft boxes in food bins? Starving families are not going to throw it out because it has artificial dye in it. They're not worrying about signing a petition while they're putting their children to bed hungry. All they know is that it's free or it's quick and affordable and will fill their children's bellies.
Gin says
The object here is to vote with your dollars. You can organize and sign all the petitions you can, however, if you don't purchase that product and sales numbers diminish, they will notice for sure. Why not make your own or support a company that isn't owned by a big conglomerate? Even if they take those two colors out of the product, the pasta is probably made of GMO flour...
Ruth Mannebach says
Kraft does support the use of GMOs - including in their "natural" Back to Nature brand...
SC says
That thought ran through my mind too, although I still signed. I don't buy Kraft macaroni and cheese or any boxed mac and cheese anymore.
Carla Morris says
My kids make the instant mac n cheese after school most days for a quick snack that they can do themselves. Do you know of an organic product similar to this that I could buy instead?
josie says
Carla -
My mom would make a batch of pasta and homemade cheese sauce and keep them seperate in the fridge. Then just have them combine in microwave during the week...
Jocelyn says
Annie's has an organic, whole wheat, white cheese boxed mac and cheese. It's just as easy and I think tastes better than the Kraft stuff. We personally like homemade mac and cheese better than the boxed kind, but Annie's will do in a pinch!
Heather G says
Annie's makes one but it is expensive. Not sure if it is organic or what not but I'm sure it's dye free.
Mary T. says
There is an organic instant Mac and Cheese. It's Annie's homegrown brand that's made with organic pasta and real aged cheddar. It comes in 5 single servings packages and I buy it at Target for around $3.50/box.
Kira says
I had the instant Annie's for after school snacks when I was in high school, but my parents stopped buying it when they realized I was just eating the instant pasta with tomato sauce and leaving the cheese packets in the pantry :-).
Nowadays, when I want mac and cheese quickly, I mix pre-cooked noodles with some grated cheese, plain yogurt, and a pat of butter and microwave. It is WORLDS more delicious than the processed stuff and still takes next to no time to make!
Robin says
Carla-
Annie's makes a organic and whole wheat instant mac n cheese like the type your kids are used to cooking in the microwave from Kraft (without the gunk). Do a search for their website for all of the ingredient details. Hope this helps.
Lee says
The Pioneer Woman's Mac N Cheese is excellent and easy to make. I say ditch the boxed Mac altogether. But I agree, if they're going to produce it, leave out the harmful additives!
Tina says
I signed. We stopped eating Kraft a while back.
Elisabeth says
We make our own with brown rice pasta ... my son barely noticed the difference, and now eats it just as readily as the boxed stuff ...
If you really want to see something crazy - check the ingredients for American Mcdonald's products, and compare to those in other countries ... I noticed this when an Australian friend posted something about McD's and someone else questioned whether it was the same across the board ... we checked, and in Australia, the ingredients were REAL food, and half as many as what was listed in the US version of the item. Pretty sick, eh?
Katie | Healthnut Foodie says
Great video! Until Kraft makes a change, our family has found that the Back to Nature brand tastes just as good as the blue box and is made with 100% real cheese...
Ruth Mannebach says
Kraft owned Back to Nature until this past August, when they sold their majority stake to Brynwood... one would think it would be easy for Kraft to take out the junk in their own house brand!
Karla says
It appears Back to Nature Brand is part of Kraft Foods.
http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Business/Kraft-Foods-agrees-to-divest-controlling-stake-in-Back-to-Nature-brand