An ex-FDA employee, Dr. Darin Detwiler, has revealed that Kellogg’s Froot Loops is considered one of the most harmful breakfast cereals on the market. The rainbow rings in Froot Loops are heavily processed and contain high levels of added sugars, artificial dyes, and preservatives that have been linked to health concerns. A 1-cup serving of Froot Loops contains 12.35 grams of sugar, which is nearly half of the recommended daily allowance for children. However, most kids end up eating more than the recommended serving size.
The red hue in Froot Loops comes from Red 40, a controversial additive that has been linked to various health problems. A 2022 study conducted by researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada found alarming results about the effects of Red 40 on the digestive tract, potentially triggering irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. There has been a growing demand to eliminate harmful additives in cereals like Froot Loops and Apple Jacks, with over 1,000 cereal lovers and health activists marching on Kellogg’s Michigan headquarters to demand change.
Kellogg’s has been under fire for continuing to use artificial dyes and preservatives in their cereals despite backlash from consumers. Over 400,000 signatures were delivered to Kellogg’s offices in Battle Creek calling for the removal of these harmful ingredients that have been associated with health defects and behavioral issues in children. Actress Eva Mendes spoke out against Kellogg’s, stating that she would no longer consume their products due to the harmful ingredients used in the US versions of their cereals.
Kellogg’s has been criticized for using harmful artificial dyes such as Red 40, Yellow 6, and Blue 1, as well as the preservative BHT in their cereals in pursuit of short-term profits. Research has linked these additives to organ damage, cancer, behavioral problems, and hyperactivity, with calls for Kellogg’s to eliminate these ingredients from their products. While the FDA states that color additives are safe for consumption when used properly, Kellogg’s has faced backlash for not removing these harmful ingredients from their products sooner.
In response to the backlash, Kellogg’s announced in 2015 that they would remove artificial colors and ingredients from their products by the end of 2018. However, some harmful additives like Red 40 and Yellow 5, which are banned in other countries like the UK and Japan, are still used in the US versions of cereals like Froot Loops. The company insists that the safety and quality of their foods are a top priority, with more than 85% of their cereal sales containing no colors from artificial sources and a commitment to meeting consumer preferences for clean ingredients.
Consumer preferences are shifting towards clean ingredients, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signing the California School Food Safety Act into law, banning six dyes found in meals, drinks, and snacks served in school cafeterias. This action reflects a growing demand for food products that are free from harmful additives and artificial ingredients, putting pressure on companies like Kellogg’s to reformulate their products to meet these changing preferences.
