Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating cereal giant Kellogg’s for potential violation of the state’s consumer protection laws.
The state claims many of the cereals Kellogg promotes as “healthy” may lead to obesity, cancer, attention difficulties and other issues.
Paxton points to products such as Kellogg’s Apple Jacks and Frosted Flakes, which contain petroleum-based artificial food colorings.
In a statement announcing the investigation, Paxton said some food additives are “linked to hyperactivity, obesity, autoimmune disease, endocrine-related health problems, and cancer in those who consume them.”
“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,” the GOP attorney general said.
Kristina Baehr, founder of Just Well Law, echoed Paxton’s concerns.
“The state of Texas is asking, ‘Why did you promise your shareholders that you were going to take out the artificial colors and flavors, because of course you knew they were not safe, and then you reneged on that promise?” Baehr said.
This case is at the center of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has previously vowed to address food dyes and additives in the nation’s processed foods — including in Kellogg’s Froot Loops cereal.
Texas is the latest state to criticize the company for using artificial food dyes. California banned Kellogg’s Froot Loops from schools over concerns about the artificial dyes.
Kellogg’s sells versions of its cereals without some ingredients in Canada and across Europe.
In 2015, the company announced it was working to remove artificial flavors and colors from cereals by 2018. Yet cereals such as Froot Loops and Apple Jacks still contain Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1 and Yellow 6 — all of which are produced from petroleum.
Opinions are mixed on whether artificial food dyes and additives are linked to health issues. Some advocacy groups claim they are unsafe, though many have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Kellogg’s ingredients, including food dyes, are compliant with FDA regulations.
