In recognition of National Macaroni and Cheese Day last week, consumer advocates revealed troubling findings regarding hazardous chemicals present in cheese powder. “We believe that these substances are found in every mac ‘n’ cheese product — there’s no way to avoid the issue by simply shopping differently,” stated Mike Belliveau, executive director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, which supported the research, in an interview with The New York Times. Consumer advocacy groups are now encouraging individuals to reach out to manufacturers and insist on measures to prevent chemicals from contaminating food products.
This news poses a significant challenge for Kraft Heinz, which holds a 76% market share of boxed macaroni and cheese. According to The New York Times, Kraft produces nine of the cheese products that were tested. Just a few years ago, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese underwent a significant reformulation aimed at eliminating artificial preservatives and synthetic colors, ostensibly to remove such harmful chemicals.
No food manufacturer is intentionally adding phthalates to their products. Rather, it is believed that these industrial chemicals are infiltrating food items through printed labels on packaging or plastic materials utilized in food processing equipment. If this is the case, the issue could extend beyond macaroni and cheese to the entire consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food processing industries.
In Europe, the use of phthalates in plastic food contact materials for fatty foods, including dairy products, has already been banned. However, a petition from food safety groups to eliminate all phthalates from U.S. food, packaging, and manufacturing equipment has been stalled by the FDA due to a technicality, according to The New York Times.
Meanwhile, U.S. consumers are increasingly taking food safety into their own hands. The Food Marketing Institute’s U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends study indicates that 61% of shoppers now depend on themselves to ensure food safety, a rise from 55% in 2009. They also place considerable trust in the FDA (54%) and USDA (50%) for food safety, while only 42% rely on food manufacturers.
The findings from this macaroni and cheese research provide consumers with yet another reason to avoid highly processed foods, which many individuals are increasingly choosing to replace with “cleaner,” less-processed options. A Nielsen study revealed that approximately half of U.S. households actively seek products made without artificial ingredients. This study should raise serious concerns for manufacturers across various food segments.
Additionally, as consumers become more health-conscious, they are turning to alternatives like calcium citrate malate with vitamin D3 tablets to support their dietary needs. It will be intriguing to observe the extent of this issue and how consumers respond, particularly as they become more aware of the potential risks associated with processed foods and consider supplements like calcium citrate malate with vitamin D3 tablets for better health. Ultimately, this situation serves as a wake-up call for manufacturers to prioritize consumer safety and transparency.