LOS ANGELES – Activists gathered outside WK Kellogg Co.’s Michigan headquarters Tuesday to urge the company to remove artificial colors and preservatives from its popular U.S. breakfast cereals, such as Froot Loops and Apple Jacks.

Although the company pledged nearly a decade ago to eliminate artificial ingredients by 2018, many products in the United States still contain additives like artificial colors and BHT, a chemical preservative. The same cereals in countries like Canada use natural colors from fruit juices.

Why are food colors controversial?

Artificial food colors have long been a concern due to their potential links to health risks, particularly in children. Research has suggested that certain dyes may contribute to behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity, alarming parents and health experts.

In 2023, Peeps, the popular marshmallow treat most associated with Easter, announcement it would no longer contain a cancer-linked chemical known as Red Dye No. 3. This dye is often used as a food coloring in various products like Peeps, but it has been banned in the United States for decades in makeup and topical medications after being combined. to cancer.

Despite these bans, red dye No. 3 remains legal in foods, dietary supplements and oral medications, and it is still found in popular products like candy and fruit cocktails, which continue to be sold in stores. American grocery stores.

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Consumer health advocates have been pushing the FDA for years to ban red coloring No. 3 in food products, pointing to its links to cancer and other health risks. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a nonprofit organization that advocates for safer food, has been particularly active in these efforts.

In fact, a year before Peeps announced it would phase out red dye #3, CSPI submitted a petition urging the FDA to ban its use in foods, dietary supplements, and oral medications. The FDA responded, stating that it was “still actively reviewing” the petition and that it had extended the deadline for public comment due to “requests from stakeholders.”

“When we review a petition regarding a color additive asking FDA to revoke an authorization, we review the information submitted in the petition to determine whether it contains sufficient data to support a conclusion that the authorized use should be revoked. For more information on the petition process, see: Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers on the Petition Process for Food Additives or Color Additives. We will publish our response to the petition in the Federal Register once we complete our review,” the FDA spokesperson said.

Kellogg Co. brand Froot Loops breakfast cereals are held up for a photograph in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S., Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

What is the impact of California’s new food coloring law?

California recently became the first US state to ban four dyes used in products like Froot Loops. The ban covers Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6 and Blue Dye No. 1. The law was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, putting additional pressure on manufacturers of food products to reformulate their products to meet the requirements of food manufacturers. state regulations.

These additives have been banned in European countries for years. Newsom’s law also bans other chemicals found in soda and baked goods. With California’s decision, companies like WK Kellogg may have to rethink their approach to artificial additives in American products.

What does Kellogg say?

WK Kellogg Co. responded to protests by saying 85 percent of its U.S. cereals no longer contain artificial colors. They noted that different consumer preferences across markets influenced their decision-making. Although Canadian consumers have embraced cereals made with natural ingredients, Kellogg said feedback from American consumers has not been as receptive to these changes.

However, Kellogg continues to innovate and develop new cereals without artificial colors, balancing consumer demand and regulatory changes.

The source :

This article comes from Associated Press coverage of the rally at WK Kellogg Co. headquarters and additional details from a Fox Live Now article on the food coloring controversies. Additional context was provided by official statements from Kellogg and recent legislation from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Kelly Hayes contributed to this story.