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Pizza Hut to nix artificial ingredients by July

Pizza Hut announced plans today to make changes to its ingredients standards, beginning with the removal of artificial flavors and colors from its nationally available pizzas by the end of July 2015

May 27, 2015

Pizza Hut announced plans today to make changes to its ingredients standards, beginning with the removal of artificial flavors and colors from its nationally available pizzas by the end of July 2015, the company said in a press release.

The Pizza Hut culinary team worked with suppliers the past year to reformulate its menu, removing many of the artificial additives that have become common across the industry supply chain. The effort resulted continuous testing and redevelopment of products to preserve the flavor customers expect from the brand.

"Today's consumer more than ever before wants to understand the ingredients that make up the foods that they enjoy," said David Gibbs, CEO, Pizza Hut, in an announcement. "As the world's largest pizza company that has unrivaled heritage in quality and flavorful pizzas, it only made sense for us to lead the category in this area. We are committed to doing this the right way and to make the changes that ensure only the highest quality and greatest flavors in our food."

Pizza Hut previously eliminated partially hydrogenated oils and MSG and reduced the sodium in its pizzas as part of its Nutrition Bold Goal. The company expects 15 percent of Pizza Hut pizzas will one third of the daily recommended dietary allowance for sodium and 20 percent of its pizzas will meet that criterion by 2020.

Pizza Hut does not use fillers in any of its meat toppings; its meatballs are free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives; and its marinara sauce is free of sugar and oil.

In addition Pizza Hut will introduce an interactive nutrition calculator and allergen tool to its website in and mobile app in July to enable customers to customize Pizza Hut menu items.