Taco Bell & Pizza Hut Latest Chains to Shun Artificial Ingredients

QSR leaders join others in announcing planned phase-out by end of year.

May 29, 2015

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Earlier this week, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut announced that they would be phasing out artificial ingredients – including artificial flavors, colors and preservatives; high fructose corn syrup; and palm oil – in their food by the end of the year.  With the announcement, they join the ranks of QSR and fast-food chains, such as Panera and Noodles & Company, who are touting their dedication to providing a more “natural” eating experience.

Panera, for example, plans to ditch 150 artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and preservatives from its menus by the end of 2016, saying it doesn’t want its customers eating ingredients they can’t pronounce. Likewise, Noodles & Company has announced that it plans to remove all artificial colors, flavors and preservatives from its soups, sauces and dressings by the end of the third quarter this year. According to a report in QSR Magazine, the chain is also testing naturally raised, antibiotic-free chicken in some locations, having already transitioned to antibiotic-free, vegetarian-fed pork.

And if that sounds familiar, it’s probably because many of these decisions are inspired – and perhaps necessitated by – Chipotle’s oft-stated commitment to serve healthier, artificial ingredient-free products such as non-GMO food and humanely raised meat.

However, as QSR Magazine points out, while phasing out these ingredients is a decision to be generally applauded, “questions remain on whether these decisions to phase out artificial ingredients and preservatives are based on sound science or are instead following misguided consumer trends.”

But regardless of the dubious science behind eliminating certain ingredients, it’s clear that the trend toward wanting a simpler, more natural eating experience isn’t going anywhere.

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