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Eva Mendes, Kellogg's and a push to ban food dyes

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Eva Mendes, Kellogg's and a push to ban food dyes

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Do you know what's in your cereal?

Eva Mendes says it's time you found out.

The American actress took to Instagram to call for the removal of artificial food colors from Kellogg's cereal, sparking heated comments.

“I grew up with cereal. I still love it, but I won't be eating @kelloggsus anymore after finding out so many of the ingredients they use here in the US are BANNED in other countries. Why? Because they are harmful.” “Children,” Mendes posted on Instagram on October 8th. On Tuesday, she encouraged her followers to take part in a “peaceful march to Kellogg's headquarters to demand they REMOVE artificial food coloring.”

The reactions were quick: “YES Eva!!!! Thank you for speaking out on this issue and advocating for safer products for our children!” wrote @barenaturals. Follower @angelise_rivera disagreed: “You're going to believe there's some big conspiracy theory here instead of accepting the FACT that artificial colors are being tested for safety.” Kellogg's most recent Instagram post from September 25 received over 2,000 comments flooded with demands for better ingredients.

“Our products – and the ingredients we use to make them – comply with all applicable relevant laws and regulations,” Kellogg’s said in a statement to USA TODAY. “We remain committed to transparently labeling our ingredients so consumers can easily make decisions about the foods they purchase.”

Who is right about food coloring? Depends on who you ask.

Some states are starting to ban these dyes, and Mendes wants a stronger push. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the WK Kellogg Co. headquarters in Michigan on Tuesday and delivered petitions with more than 400,000 signatures, according to the Associated Press.

What artificial colors are in Kellogg's cereal?

Kellogg's Froot Loops uses red dye #40, yellow dye #5, yellow dye #6, blue dye #1 and butylated hydroxytolune (BHT), which is a lab-made chemical, according to WebMD , which is added to foods as an additive preservative. BHT can also be used to treat genital herpes, AIDS, and cold sores. However, research on BHT as a carcinogen has produced mixed results depending on the animal and parameters tested.

Meanwhile, in Canada, the company uses concentrated carrot juice, watermelon juice, Huito juice and blueberry juice to color Froot Loops.

According to Kellogg's, more than 85 percent of cereals sold contain no artificial colors.

“We continue to develop new cereals across our largest brands that contain no artificial colors and offer our consumers a wide variety of nutritious foods,” the company said.

Some artificial colors could be banned from California schools

Do food dyes cause ADHD and cancer?

A 2021 report from the California Environmental Protection Agency linked artificial colors to “hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems” in some children, and similar research previously led the European Union to restrict food coloring.

“There is strong evidence that there is a link between the intake of these materials and behavioral changes…particularly in children who are vulnerable, already have ADHD or have similar behaviors,” says Asa Bradman, professor and chair of public relations at the U of California Merced Department of Health, which worked on the California review, previously told USA TODAY. “Exposure to the dyes appears to worsen the symptom.”

Scientists can't say with certainty that there is a proven link, but opponents of food dyes often point to a simultaneous rise in artificial dye consumption and rising ADHD diagnosis rates among children.

“The reality is that these have no nutritional or other benefits. They’re purely aesthetic,” Bradman said.

Red 3 has also been linked to cancer in animal studies. Because of these concerns, the FDA banned its use in cosmetic products in 1990, but it is still permitted in foods. California recently banned the use of six dyes in public schools. Other state lawmakers are making similar pushes.

“I keep flipping labels. It takes me four hours to shop for groceries. This shouldn’t be the case,” Pennsylvania state Rep. Natalie Mihalek previously told USA TODAY. The FDA completed its most recent exposure assessment of the six chemicals banned in California's most recent law in 2016, the agency told USA TODAY in late September. The FDA will hold a public meeting to “take a fresh look at the process” of evaluating chemicals in foods after they hit the market.

Do food dyes make ADHD worse? Why the results of some studies lead to food coloring bans

Contributors: Cybele Mayes-Osterman and Eduardo Cuevas

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