Americans stunned by how different cereals look in other countries... raising more concerns about US food dyes

Daily Mail​

30-04-2025

Can you spot the difference between these two food products?
Americans have expressed their horror after comparing US cereal to their foreign counterparts.
Fruit Loops seems to the focus for many social media users, as the neon-hued rings look wildly different to the same product sold in Europe and Canada due to a range of synthetic food colorings.
Used in the American food supply for decades to give treats an appealing hue, in recent years concerns have been raised over the health effects of food dyes - including animal studies suggesting they can cause hyperactivity, cancer and other health problems.
Among the most scrutinized dyes in the food and beverage industry are Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6.
European countries have already banned them or heavily restricted their use, requiring warning labels disclosing the health risks.
And after mounting pressure in the US to ban them, FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary announced last Tuesday that the agency will phase out the use of eight artificial food dyes in America's food supply within the next two years.
In one clip shared to TikTok, video creator Joseph DeBenedictis compares the US and Canadian version of Kellogg's' Fruit Loops which are currently on sale.
Along with Red 40 - which has been branded the most concerning additive used in the food industry - the American variety of Fruit Loops contains Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which have been linked to health problems in children.
Canadian Froot Loops, however, replaced these dyes with concentrated blueberry, carrot, and watermelon juices. The same goes for the version sold in Europe.
As he assesses a bag of Canadian Froot Loops, content creator Joseph describes the cereal as 'muted colors' and 'not too vibrant'.
But as he pulls out the American equivalent, he is blown away by the vibrant colors, equating it to 'looking like candy'.
He says in comparison, the Canadian version 'looks like oatmeal'.
In a bid to see how the two versions of Fruit Loops compare taste wise, he conducts a blind taste test.
Before donning a face covering, he looks at a bowl of the colorful American-made rings and exclaims: 'How can something so beautiful be so bad for you?'
Meanwhile, he says of the bowl of the Canadian breakfast treats: 'Definitely not as appetizing.'
However, he is surprised when he gives both cereals a try, he opts for the Canadian version.
While Joseph gave the naturally flavored Fruit Loops the thumbs up, fellow TikTokker Justus Reid disagrees.
He says although the texture is the same, he prefers the sweetness of the American version as that's what he grew up on.
'The aftertaste is especially unpleasant... I couldn't eat a whole bowl of this,' he says while wincing, after giving Fruit Loops from Europe a whirl.
'The European version is bad, objectively bad,' he adds.
Ex-FDA food chief Dr Darin Detwiler previously branded Kellogg's Froot Loops the worst breakfast cereal in the US - amid protests about the ingredients in the product.
He told DailyMail.com that the colorful rings are 'heavily processed and contain high levels of added sugars, artificial dyes, and preservatives, which are linked to health concerns.'
The morning snack contains 12.35g of sugar per serving (one cup), or three teaspoons, which is almost half of a child's daily allowance.
Dr Detwiler notes that most children 'consume a lot more than the recommended serving size, as one cup is not a realistic amount.'
But more concerning is the additives Froot Loops contain.
Dr Detwiler said Red 40, a dye that gives the hoops their neon red color, was the most concerning.
It's banned in several European countries for its link to hyperactivity and cancer, and are not present in most products internationally such as those in Australia and Canada.
He says the worst offending dye in Froot Loops is Red 40, which has been been banned in several European countries for its link to hyperactivity and cancer, and are not present in most products internationally such as those in Australia or Europe.
Along with campaigners, most notably actress Eva Mendes, Dr Detwiler is calling for Kellogg's to 'consider reformulating their products to reduce the use of artificial additives, dyes, and high sugar levels.'
He continues: 'With growing concerns about the long-term health effects of processed ingredients, especially those linked to cancer risks like certain food dyes, Kellogg's has the opportunity to lead in healthier food production.
'By focusing on cleaner ingredients and transparency, they can address consumer concerns and shift toward healthier, more sustainable food options.'
Some of the other cereals Dr Detwiler recommends steering clear of are Lucky Charms for its high sugar content and artificial colors, and Frosted Flakes for their high sugar content.
'These cereals may also contain food dyes linked to potential health risks, which is a concern when consumed frequently, especially by children,' he adds.
With all of these cereals, Dr Detwiler says they should 'only be considered occasional treats and most definitely not consumed on a daily basis.'
New York-based nutritionist, Lisa Moskovitz, agreed with this serving suggestion, telling DailyMail.com: 'Even though these sugary cereals are harmless in very small quantities, if consumed on a regular basis, they could pose a health problem.'
Kellogg's promised to remove artificial colors and ingredients from all of its cereals nearly a decade ago by 2018 but has yet to deliver on that promise.
However, it defended its current recipe. In a statement, Kellogg's said: 'Our products – and the ingredients we use to make them – are compliant with all applicable relevant laws and regulations.
'We remain committed to transparently labeling our ingredients so consumers can easily make choices about the food they purchase.'
The company also claims that 85 percent of its cereals do not contain colors from artificial sources.
Dr Detwiler said Red 40, a dye that gives the hoops their neon red color, was the most concerning in America
Red 40, yellows 5 and 6, and blue 1 are dyes used to give cereals and other processed foods their bright colors.
They have been theorized to exacerbate attentional problems in children, leading EU regulators to mandate that product makers say dyes could cause 'an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.'
A 2021 report from California's Environmental Protection Agency also linked artificial dyes to "hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems" in some children, particularly those with ADHD or other existing behavioral disorders.
Red 40 as well as Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 also contain benzidene, a human and animal carcinogen permitted in low levels.
According to the FDA, ingestion of free benzidine raises the cancer risk to just under the 'concern' threshold, or one cancer in 1 million people.
BHT, meanwhile, is an additive used to keep food fresh. It also may be found in beauty products like lip glosses and lotions, as well as chewing gum.
The research on BHT is mixed, though some studies have suggested that it long-term exposure cause liver and thyroid issues in mice by disrupting hormones.
Several states have made steps to ban or restrict these additives. In 2024, California became the first state to ban schools from serving foods containing red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1, blue 6, and green 3.
And New York state officials called for the removal of red dye No. 3, propylparaben, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, titanium dioxide, azodicarbonamide, and BHA.