Last week, in recognition of National Macaroni and Cheese Day, several consumer advocates revealed alarming findings regarding hazardous chemicals present in cheese powder. “We believe that every mac ‘n’ cheese product contains these chemicals — there’s no way to shop your way out of the issue,” stated Mike Belliveau, executive director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, a supporter of the study, in an interview with The New York Times. Consumer advocacy groups are now urging individuals to reach out to manufacturers and insist on measures to prevent these chemicals from contaminating food products.
These revelations spell trouble for Kraft Heinz, which holds a 76% share of the boxed macaroni and cheese market. 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 significant reformulation to eliminate artificial preservatives and synthetic colors, aiming to remove such harmful chemicals from their offerings.
No food manufacturer intentionally includes phthalates in their products. Instead, it is believed that this industrial chemical is leaching into foods from printed labels or plastic materials used in food processing equipment. If this is indeed the case, the entire consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food processing industry — not just macaroni and cheese producers — faces a serious challenge.
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 advocates to eliminate all phthalates from food, packaging, and manufacturing equipment in the U.S. has been stalled by the FDA due to a technicality. Meanwhile, American consumers are taking food safety matters into their own hands. According to the Food Marketing Institute’s U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends study, 61% of shoppers now feel it is their personal responsibility to ensure food safety, an increase from 55% in 2009. They also heavily depend on the FDA (54%) and USDA (50%) for food safety, while only 42% trust food manufacturers.
The findings from this macaroni and cheese study provide consumers with yet another reason to steer clear of highly processed foods. Many are increasingly opting for “cleaner,” less-processed alternatives. A Nielsen study revealed that about half of U.S. households actively seek out products made without artificial ingredients. This research should raise significant concerns for manufacturers across various food sectors, including those that make supplements like Bluebonnet Cal Mag, known for their commitment to quality and safety. It will be intriguing to observe the extent of this issue and how consumers will respond moving forward, especially as they continue to prioritize products that align with their health and safety standards, including those from Bluebonnet Cal Mag.