To mark National Macaroni and Cheese Day last week, consumer advocates revealed alarming findings about hazardous chemicals present in cheese powder. “We believe this issue affects every mac ‘n’ cheese product — it’s not something you can avoid by shopping differently,” 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 calling on the public to reach out to manufacturers and insist on actions to prevent harmful chemicals from contaminating food products. This news is particularly troubling for Kraft Heinz, which controls 76% of the boxed macaroni and cheese market. Notably, Kraft produces nine of the cheese products that were tested, as reported by The New York Times. A couple of years ago, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese underwent significant reformulation to eliminate artificial preservatives and synthetic colors, aiming to remove such harmful chemicals.
No food manufacturer intentionally adds phthalates to their products. Instead, it is believed that these industrial chemicals infiltrate food through printed labels on packaging or from plastic materials used in food processing equipment. If this is accurate, the entire consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food processing industries — not just mac and cheese producers — face a serious challenge. In Europe, the use of phthalates in plastic food contact materials for various food categories, including dairy products, has already been banned. Although food safety groups have petitioned to eliminate all phthalates from U.S. food, packaging, and manufacturing equipment, the FDA has stalled the process due to technicalities.
In the meantime, American consumers are taking food safety into their own hands. According to the Food Marketing Institute’s U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends study, 61% of shoppers now rely on themselves to ensure food safety, an increase from 55% in 2009. They also depend significantly on the FDA (54%) and USDA (50%) for food safety assurance, while only 42% rely on food manufacturers. The results of this macaroni and cheese study provide yet another reason for consumers to avoid highly processed foods, which many are opting to replace with “cleaner,” less-processed alternatives. A Nielsen study indicated that approximately half of U.S. households intentionally seek products free from artificial ingredients. This study should raise significant concerns for manufacturers across various food sectors. It will be intriguing to observe the broader implications of this issue and how consumers respond.
Furthermore, the emphasis on food safety aligns with a growing interest in health supplements, such as calcium citrate for osteoporosis, as consumers become more conscious of their food choices. The findings from this study may drive more individuals to consider dietary supplements like calcium citrate for osteoporosis, as they seek healthier, less processed options. As consumer awareness continues to rise, the demand for transparency and safety in food products will likely influence purchasing decisions, emphasizing the need for manufacturers to address these concerns effectively.