Pizza Hut and Taco Bell getting rid of artificial ingredients

Pizza Hut and Taco Bell were the newest companies to join the real-food revolution. In May 2015, both chains announced they would get rid of artificial flavors and colors from most of their products.

Instead of "black pepper flavor," Taco Bell would start using real black pepper in its seasoned beef. The artificial dye Yellow No. 6 would come out of the nacho cheese. Blue No. 1 would be removed from the avocado ranch dressing, and carmine from the red tortilla strips. Pizza Hut planned to remove all artificial flavors and colors from its pizzas, swapping Yellow No. 5 for turmeric to color its banana peppers.

When a simple flavor like black pepper is artificial, it forces us to think about how much artificial flavoring we put in our bodies.

Many food chains are taking steps to make their food more natural — not out of love for the customer's health, but because customers are waking up to the effects of artificial dyes and chemicals. The big food giants' primary objective is profit, and they will only change when customers reject unhealthy ingredients. It is our responsibility to stay educated and aware.

Take the milkshake. A fruit-and-milk shake made at home with real fruit needs no added sugar at all. The restaurant and fast-food version is a different animal — loaded with sugar and calories. There is enough research suggesting sugar may be the most detrimental component of a modern diet for a healthy lifestyle. If customers refuse these options, there is bound to be a CHANGE.

Start reading the labels. Be mindful of what you are eating. Humans should eat natural food — we are not test subjects to be fed anything and everything a large corporation desires.