Kraft Macaroni and Cheese under fire for artificial ingredients
We always knew Kraft mac’n’cheese wasn’t good for us. We didn’t eat it for it’s nutritional value. To be honest, we’re not sure why we ate it.
Two food bloggers from North Carolina are taking action against our one-time favorite late-night snack.
Vani Hari and Lisa Leake launched a Change.org petition on Tuesday, which has already collected more than 50,000 signatures, calling on Kraft Foods to remove artificial dyes Yellow #5 and Yellow #6 from Macaroni and Cheese products.
“If an American company can take the time and expense to reformulate a safer food product for countries overseas, then I believe Americans deserve the same treatment,” said Leake, a mother of two girls and creator of the “100 Days of Real Food” website in a press release. “It’s rather shocking that we are still being fed ingredients, which are no longer used – and in some cases banned – elsewhere.”
According to the petition, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in other countries such as the United Kingdom do not contain these ingredients.
In Europe, it is mandatory for foods that contain these ingredients to carry a warning label on the packaging. In some countries, such as Austria and Norway, the ingredients have been entirely banned.
The petition was sent via e-mail to Kraft Foods executives, including Noelle O’Mara, marketing director for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.
“We know some people prefer foods without certain ingredients,” said Lynne Galia, associate director with Kraft Corporate Affairs, in a written statement. “We now offer a multitude of products without added colors, as well as products with natural food colors.
Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant
