Kraft Foods has unveiled plans to phase out artificial dyes from three varieties of its macaroni and cheese that are offered in SpongeBob Squarepants, Halloween and winter shapes.
The company plans to use spices such as paprika for coloring, as an alternate to artificial dyes, reported The Associated Press.
The change will not alter the plain elbow-shaped macaroni and cheese with original flavor, the company said.
The new recipes will be available from early 2014 and two new shapes will be added to the range.
Kraft Food meals marketing vice president Triona Schmelter was quoted by the news agency as saying that the company was looking to improve the nutritional profiles of the three macaroni and cheese varieties. The new recipes will add whole grains and reduce the sodium and saturated fat levels.
"We'll continue to make improvement where we can," Schmelter added.
