Kellogg Plans to Remove Artificial Dyes from Cereals

Introduction to the Plan

Kellogg’s will eliminate artificial dyes from its breakfast cereals by the end of 2027, according to both the company and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

WK Kellogg Co., the maker of Fruit Loops, Apple Jacks, and Frosted Flakes, signed an assurance of voluntary compliance with Paxton’s office, pledging to “remove artificial food colorings from its cereals by the end of 2027.”

The Agreement and Its Implications

Paxton said Wednesday that the deal is the first of its kind in the U.S. with a major food company, calling it a “historic legal agreement."
“Following months of investigating and negotiating, I’m proud to officially say Kellogg’s will stop putting these unhealthy ingredients in its cereals,” the Texas Attorney General said in a statement. “The signed AVC demonstrates that Kellogg’s is committed to keeping this pledge, and I commend the company for doing the right thing. I encourage other food manufacturers to sign similar agreements to demonstrate their commitment to helping Americans live healthier lives.”

Background and Motivation

Paxton launched the probe earlier this year to determine whether Kellogg continued to use petroleum-based color additives in U.S. products, despite having removed them in Canada and Europe.
Kellogg’s said that 85% of its cereal sales already contain no FD&C colors and none of its products have included Red No. 3, which the FDA banned in food earlier this year, for years.

Details of the Plan

"We are committed to continue working with HHS and FDA to identify effective solutions to remove FD&C colors from foods," the company said in a news release.
The company said it would:

• Reformulate cereals served in schools to remove FD&C colors by the 2026-27 school year.
• Stop launching new products with FD&C colors starting January 2026.
• Eliminate FD&C colors from the remaining products that contain them by the end of 2027.

Health Implications

Synthetic dyes have long been used to make brightly colored cereals, candies, drinks and baked goods, but health advocates say studies show they may cause hyperactivity and attention issues in some children.

Conclusion

The decision by Kellogg’s to remove artificial dyes from its cereals by the end of 2027 is a significant step towards providing healthier options for consumers. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals, particularly children, who are often the target market for these cereals.

FAQs

• Q: Why is Kellogg’s removing artificial dyes from its cereals?
  A: Kellogg’s is removing artificial dyes from its cereals due to concerns over their potential health impacts, particularly on children.
• Q: By when will Kellogg’s remove artificial dyes from its cereals?
  A: Kellogg’s plans to remove artificial dyes from its cereals by the end of 2027.
• Q: What percentage of Kellogg’s cereal sales already contain no FD&C colors?
  A: 85% of Kellogg’s cereal sales already contain no FD&C colors.
• Q: What products will be reformulated first to remove FD&C colors?
  A: Cereals served in schools will be reformulated to remove FD&C colors by the 2026-27 school year.