Kraft Mac & Cheese Thick 'n Creamy

Name: Kraft Mac & Cheese Thick 'n Creamy
Brand: Kraft Heinz
SKU: 021000653713

Blue box creamy cheese sauce dinner

The formula changed.

Kraft announced in April 2015 that all U.S. Kraft Mac & Cheese varieties would remove Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 in 2016 in favor of paprika, annatto, and turmeric (Food Business News 2015-04-20; Kraft FAQ). The current Kraft Heinz Thick 'n Creamy manufacturer panel (GTIN 00021000653713) lists paprika, annatto, and turmeric for color with no Yellow 5 or Yellow 6.

What changed

Removed: Yellow 5, Yellow 6
Added: Paprika, annatto, and turmeric

Verified Oct 2026

3 sources · manufacturer ingredient list, manufacturer announcement, reporting ↓

Category: Snacks
UPC: 021000653713
Last checked: Oct 2, 2026
Pack shot: None yet · Send one ↓

Timeline

Apr 20, 2015
Announced
Kraft Heinz announced a change. Source: Manufacturer announcement.
Jan 1, 2016
Rollout started
New formula first seen: Manufacturer announcement.
Oct 2, 2026
Verified on a label
Current manufacturer ingredient list: no tracked additives listed.

Sources

Current manufacturer ingredient list
Kraft Mac & Cheese Thick 'n Creamy — manufacturer ingredient list
Cheese sauce mix … WITH PAPRIKA, ANNATTO, AND TURMERIC ADDED FOR COLOR. No Yellow 5 or Yellow 6.
kraftheinz.com
Oct 2, 2026 · Verified ✓
Manufacturer announcement
Kraft Mac & Cheese FAQ — 2016 Blue Box dye removal
In 2016 we removed all artificial flavors, preservatives and dyes from our Blue Box, Cups, and Easy Mac products.
kraftheinz.com
Jan 1, 2016
Reputable reporting
Food Business News — Kraft dropping artificial ingredients from Macaroni & Cheese (2015-04-20)
All varieties of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese … will debut nationally later in 2016 without artificial colors. Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 replaced with paprika, annatto and turmeric.
foodbusinessnews.net
Apr 20, 2015