Decoding Your Dairy: Does Kraft American Cheese Have Dye in It?

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), artificial color additives like Red No. 3 are currently in the process of being phased out of foods, drawing more attention to food coloring safety. This shift prompts many to question the ingredients in familiar products, leading to a common dietary concern: Does Kraft American cheese have dye in it? The short answer for current Kraft Singles formulations is no, not in the artificial sense; the company uses natural colorings to achieve the signature yellow-orange shade.

Quick Summary

Current formulations of Kraft American cheese slices use natural coloring agents, annatto and oleoresin paprika, to achieve their yellow-orange color. This article explores the use of these natural colorants in processed cheese, contrasts them with synthetic dyes, and provides context for how to incorporate processed cheese into a balanced nutrition diet.

Key Points

Natural Colorings: Kraft Singles use natural colorants, specifically annatto and oleoresin paprika, and explicitly label the product as having no artificial dyes.
Industry Shift: The switch from artificial to natural colorings in processed foods is a broader trend driven by consumer demand and health concerns.
Annatto Explained: Annatto is a natural, plant-derived food coloring from the seeds of the achiote tree, known for its yellow-orange hue.
Processing Concerns: Despite using natural dyes, products like Kraft Singles are classified as ultra-processed foods, which can have implications for a healthy diet due to higher sodium and fat levels.
Mindful Consumption: For those following a nutrition diet, processed cheese can be consumed in moderation, but the focus should remain on a balanced diet rich in whole foods.
Label Reading: Checking ingredient lists is crucial for understanding what is in your food, including the type of color additives used.

The Shift from Artificial to Natural Colors in Processed Foods

Consumer demand for simpler, more natural food ingredients has pushed many food manufacturers to re-evaluate their product formulations. Kraft Heinz is one such company that has made significant changes over the past decade. The company famously removed artificial yellow dyes from its shaped macaroni and cheese products starting in 2014, opting instead for colors derived from spices like paprika and annatto. This was a direct response to growing public pressure and petitions concerning the potential health impacts of synthetic food dyes, particularly on children's neurobehavioral health.

Does Kraft American Cheese Have Dye in It? The Ingredient List Breakdown

For Kraft Singles, specifically, the journey away from artificial colors reflects this broader industry trend. An examination of the ingredient list for Kraft Singles American slices reveals the inclusion of "Oleoresin Paprika (Color)" and "Annatto (Color)". The packaging explicitly states, "No artificial flavors or dyes". This confirms that while coloring agents are used, they are sourced from natural origins, not synthetic chemicals.

What is Annatto?

Annatto is a natural food coloring and spice derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, which is native to tropical regions of the Americas. It provides a yellow-orange color to a wide variety of foods, including many cheeses, butter, and margarine. The tradition of coloring cheese with annatto dates back centuries in Europe. The pigment comes from carotenoid compounds called bixin and norbixin. While generally safe, some individuals have reported allergic-type reactions to annatto, though this is rare.

What is Oleoresin Paprika?

Oleoresin paprika is another natural coloring agent, extracted from the mild red pods of the capsicum pepper family. It is known for its vibrant red hue and is used in a range of food products. Like annatto, it is a plant-derived additive and not a synthetic chemical dye. Its use in Kraft Singles contributes to the characteristic orange shade.

Natural vs. Artificial Dyes: A Nutritional Perspective

While Kraft Singles use natural colorings, it’s important to understand the broader context of food dyes in nutrition. Concerns about artificial dyes often stem from their link to behavioral issues in some children, like hyperactivity, and potential, though inconclusive, cancer risks in humans based on animal studies. For this reason, many health-conscious consumers prefer natural alternatives like annatto and oleoresin paprika, which are widely considered safe for consumption. However, simply swapping the coloring agent does not inherently change the nutritional profile of a highly processed food.

EWG's Food Scores, for example, classifies Kraft Singles American Slices as an ultra-processed food. These types of foods are often higher in sodium, fat, and preservatives and offer less nutritional value than whole foods. This is an important consideration for anyone focusing on a balanced, whole-food-centric diet. Even with natural coloring, the health implications of frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods remain a concern for chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Incorporating Cheese into a Balanced Diet

For those who enjoy processed cheese, understanding its ingredients is key to making informed dietary choices. A balanced nutrition diet emphasizes whole and minimally processed foods, but this does not mean processed items must be entirely eliminated. Instead, they can be consumed in moderation as part of a varied diet. The natural colorings in Kraft Singles are generally not a primary nutritional concern for most people, but the overall nutritional composition—including high sodium and saturated fat content—should be considered.

Tips for mindfully consuming processed cheese:

Read the label: Always check the ingredient list to confirm the type of coloring used and to be aware of other additives and preservatives.
Monitor sodium and saturated fat: Be mindful of portion sizes to keep your intake of sodium and saturated fat in check, especially if you have cardiovascular health concerns.
Pair with whole foods: Balance processed cheese with fresh, whole foods. For example, add a slice to a sandwich with plenty of vegetables or to a homemade burger with a whole wheat bun.
Consider alternatives: For a less processed option, look for natural cheeses that are white or colored with annatto. Many white cheddar cheeses, for instance, are the same as their orange counterparts but without the added annatto.


Feature	Processed American Cheese (e.g., Kraft Singles)	Natural Cheddar Cheese
Coloring	Uses natural colorings like annatto and oleoresin paprika.	Orange varieties use annatto; white varieties are uncolored.
Ingredients	A blend of natural cheese with emulsifying salts, milk solids, and preservatives.	Made using traditional methods with curdled milk and enzymes.
Nutritional Profile	Often higher in sodium and saturated fat due to processing.	Generally contains fewer additives, and nutritional content can vary by age and fat content.
Texture & Melt	Formulated for a perfect, smooth melt.	Can melt differently depending on age and moisture content.
Overall Processing	Highly processed food (ultra-processed).	Less processed than American cheese slices.

Conclusion

While the long-standing question of whether Kraft American cheese contains dye is a valid one, the answer today points to the use of natural colorings like annatto and oleoresin paprika. This reflects a significant industry shift away from artificial additives in response to consumer preferences and growing health concerns. While the use of natural colors addresses one concern, it's essential for a balanced nutrition diet to consider the overall profile of processed foods like Kraft Singles. Mindful consumption and pairing these foods with more whole-food options allows you to enjoy them in moderation while maintaining a focus on a healthier eating pattern. The presence of natural colorings is a positive change, but it doesn't negate the importance of a holistic nutritional perspective. EWG offers more resources on food ingredients and processing at https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kraft Singles get their yellow-orange color from natural coloring agents called annatto and oleoresin paprika, not from artificial dyes.

Kraft has historically made changes to its formulations in response to consumer concerns. While the current formulation of Kraft Singles uses natural colorings, the company has explicitly removed artificial dyes from other products, like shaped macaroni and cheese, in recent years.

Annatto is generally considered safe for consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is a common natural coloring agent. However, in rare cases, some individuals may have an allergic reaction.

No. While Kraft Singles and some other brands have moved to natural colorings, processed American cheese can be made with various ingredients, and formulations can differ. Always check the ingredient list to be sure.

The primary difference is the color. Annatto is added to orange cheddar cheese, but it does not have a discernible impact on flavor or texture. Nutritionally, they are essentially the same, with any variations coming from other factors in the cheesemaking process.

Studies have linked artificial food dyes to health issues, primarily hyperactivity and neurobehavioral issues in some children. While the link to cancer risk is less clear in humans, the FDA is phasing out some artificial dyes based on animal studies.

On a healthy diet, it is important to be mindful of overall intake. Processed cheese can be high in sodium and saturated fat. While the natural colors in Kraft Singles are not a major health concern, it is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a diet rich in whole foods.