A lot of America’s favorite treats are getting a makeover. This year, several companies have announced plans to change-up the recipe to food products because of consumer requests to make things a bit more natural. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most recent transformations hitting grocery stores.
DIET PEPSI
What’s happening: Removing aspartame
When it’ll change: August 2015
PepsiCo says it’s dropping aspartame from Diet Pepsi in response to customer feedback and replacing it with sucralose, another artificial sweetener commonly known as Splenda.
The decision to swap sweeteners comes as Americans keep turning away from popular diet sodas. Coca-Cola said this week that sales volume for Diet Coke fell 5 percent in North America in the first three months of the year.
Executives at Coke and Pepsi blame the declines on perceptions that aspartame, first sold under the brand name Nutrasweet, isn’t safe. That’s even though the Food and Drug Administration says more than 100 studies support aspartame’s safety.
Still, PepsiCo says it wanted to listen to its customers.
KRAFT MACARONI & CHEESE
What’s happening: Removing artificial preservatives or synthetic colors
When it’ll change: 2016
According to an Associate Press report, this is the last year that the original version of Kraft Mac & Cheese sold in the U.S. will contain artificial preservatives or synthetic colors.
In January, Kraft says its macaroni and cheese will be colored using paprika, annatto and turmeric. The company is already selling a version, Kraft Mac & Cheese Boxed Shapes, with no artificial flavors, preservatives or synthetic colors.
Nearly two years ago, two food bloggers and parents had launched a campaign to have Kraft remove artificial dyes from its macaroni and cheese dinner – similar to a comparable dinner the company makes in Europe. Many believe that the online petition and requests from consumers helped inspire the change at Kraft.
NESQUIK
What’s happening: Reducing sugars
When it’ll change: April 2015
Nestle says it’s cutting some of the sugar from its Nesquik chocolate and strawberry powders and is taking artificial coloring out of the strawberry powder.
Nestle says strawberry Nesquik powder will get its pink coloring from beet juice powder instead of artificial colors. And Nestle says it’s reducing added sugar in its original chocolate powder by 15 percent and cutting added sugar in strawberry powder by 27 percent. Some of the added sugar will be replaced with coca and natural flavors. The moves don’t affect the company’s chocolate and strawberry syrups.
Nestle says Nesquik chocolate powder already is without artificial colors. Nestle says it spent 18 months reformulating the products.
The new versions of the powders will go on sale this month.
NESTLE
What’s happening: Removing artificial flavors and colors
When: By the end of 2015
In February, Nestle USA released a statement, saying “Nestlé USA announced today its commitment to removing artificial flavors and FDA-certified colors, like Red 40 and Yellow 5, from all of its chocolate candy products. By the end of 2015, more than 250 products and 10 brands including NESTLÉ® BUTTERFINGER®, CRUNCH® and BABY RUTH® will be free of artificial flavors and certified colors. Products will begin appearing on store shelves by mid-2015, and will be identified by a “No Artificial Flavors or Colors” claim featured on-pack.”
Though doctors say the use of the FDA deems these products safe, all-natural products can provide health benefits.