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The US and international formulas are not the same— here's exactly what changed and why.
Kraft Heinz USA
| Ingredient | 🇺🇸 US Version | 🌍 International | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium Benzoate | ✅ Not present | ✅ Not present | Banned Overseas |
The same company makes both versions — but they use different formulas depending on where the product is sold. In the EU, UK, and Canada, regulations require either banning certain additives outright or mandating warning labels (e.g., "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" for certain synthetic dyes).
Rather than print warning labels, most manufacturers reformulate the product for international markets — using natural colorants like paprika extract, beetroot concentrate, or spirulina instead of petroleum-derived synthetic dyes.
The US FDA has a different standard: it deems additives "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) based on older safety data, while EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) applies stricter precautionary principles and requires manufacturers to prove safety rather than assume it.
Kraft Singles cannot legally be called 'cheese' in either the US or many other jurisdictions because it contains less than 51% natural cheese by weight. In Germany, it must be labeled 'Käsezubereitung' (cheese preparation), not cheese. The US product contains various sodium phosphate salts and artificial colorings absent from cleaner formulations sold in other markets. Canadian regulations also impose different maximum levels for preservatives used in processed cheese products.
Find clean brands without these ingredients — organized by category.