Texas Takes on General Mills Over Artificial Dyes in Children's Cereal
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into General Mills, accusing the food giant of misleading consumers by marketing cereals as 'healthy: despite containing synthetic dyes linked to health issues in children.
Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has launched an investigation into General Mills over concerns that the company deceptively markets its cereals as healthy while using ingredients linked to serious health risks. The inquiry, issued through a Civil Investigative Demand, targets the company's labeling practices, particularly for well-known products like Trix and Lucky Charms.
According to Paxton's office, General Mills advertises its cereals as a 'good source' of essential vitamins and minerals and promotes them as 'healthy.' However, the cereals also contain petroleum-based artificial food dyes—additives that research has associated with a range of health issues in children, including hyperactivity, endocrine disruption, autoimmune conditions, cancer, and obesity.
'Under my watch, big food companies should be on high alert that they will be held accountable if they include toxic ingredients in our food and engage in false marketing,' Paxton said. 'I'm proud to stand with the Trump Administration and Secretary Kennedy in addressing petroleum-based synthetic dyes and will always fight to protect the health of the American people. This includes ensuring that food products are not illegally and deceptively marketed by corporations, which is why I've launched this investigation into General Mills.'
General Mills has a notable, and perhaps inconsistent, history regarding the use of artificial dyes in its cereals. In 2015, the company publicly committed to removing artificial colorings from six of its cereal brands, a move that garnered considerable positive media attention and, reportedly, boosted profits. However, this commitment proved short-lived. Just two years later, according to the Attorney General's office, General Mills resumed selling cereals containing artificial dyes in the United States.
This reversal comes despite a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting potential negative health effects associated with these synthetic ingredients. Disturbingly, General Mills currently does not provide warnings to American consumers about these potential risks. Interestingly, the company continues to market and sell versions of its cereals without artificial dyes in other countries, raising questions as to why the same healthier formulations are not offered to consumers in Texas and across the United States.
The investigation into General Mills is not Paxton's only foray into cereal manufacturers. His office also has an active, ongoing investigation into Kellogg's for alleged violations of Texas consumer protection laws, indicating a broader scrutiny of the industry's marketing and ingredient practices.
In April, Paxton launched a formal investigation into Kellogg's, alleging that the company may have violated state consumer protection laws by promoting certain cereals as 'healthy' despite their inclusion of synthetic additives linked to serious health risks. The probe targets cereals like Apple Jacks and Frosted Flakes, which contain petroleum-based dyes such as Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Yellow 6.
'There will be accountability for any company, including Kellogg, that unlawfully makes misrepresentations about its food and contributes to a broken health system that has made Americans less healthy,' he stated.
Kellogg previously pledged in 2015 to remove artificial colors and flavors from its cereals by 2018. However, many of its products—including Froot Loops and Apple Jacks—still contain the very additives the company once promised to eliminate.
Texas' investigation into General Mills and Kellogg's is part of a broader initiative to clean up the food supply under the Trump administration's 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made food additives a priority, with cereal products among those under active review.
Source: Click2Houston.com
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