Texas Challenges Kellogg’s on Alleged Misleading Health Claims

Cereal maker WK Kellogg might be in some legal trouble in Texas. The state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, is investigating the food conglomerate.

The state of Texas alleges that Kellogg’s violated its consumer protection laws. The company apparently advertises many of its cereal products, like Apple Jacks, Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, and Frosted Flakes, as “healthy.”

Paxton claims that the cereals contain some ingredients, specifically artificial food colorings, that could lead to various health issues, including hyperactivity, obesity, and cancer. While Kellogg’s has purportedly announced it would remove dyes and the preservative BHT from products, it has failed to do so, according to the attorney general’s office. WK Kellogg products in Canada and Europe, however, are free of those substances.

“A critical part of fighting for our children’s future is putting an end to companies’ deceptive practices that are aimed at misleading parents and families about the health of food products,” said Paxton in a press release. “Artificial food colorings have been shown to have disastrous impacts on health, and in no world should foods that include these dyes be advertised as ‘healthy.’”

If Kellogg’s did make misrepresentations about its cereal, then the Texas AG will hold it accountable. Paxton noted that food companies making unlawful statements impact the “broken health system” and contribute to the unhealthy lifestyles of Americans.

Removing Artificial Ingredients in Foods a Top Priority, Not Just for Kellogg’s

The fight against artificial ingredients and dyes goes beyond the state of Texas. Last month, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with several key players in the food industry.

Speaking to executives from PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and WK Kellogg, RFK Jr. said a major item on the agency’s agenda is to get potentially harmful ingredients out of food products, with the removal of artificial dyes a top priority. Just the same as Attorney General Paxton, Kennedy made it clear that food companies will need to respond, or HHS will take appropriate action.

Even before RFK Jr. took the helm at the HHS, the war on artificial dyes was underway. In January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outright banned Red Dye No. 3, also known as FD&C Red No. 3. Found in many food products, particularly frozen desserts, gummies, and cupcakes, the chemical may be a carcinogen.