Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that Kellogg’s has entered into an agreement to remove dyes from its cereals.
Paxton and Kellogg’s have signed a historic Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, which declares that the company will remove artificial food dyes from its cereals by the end of 2027. The agreement makes Kellogg’s the first company to “officially sign a legally binding agreement confirming that it will remove food colorings,”
“Following months of investigating and negotiating, I’m proud to officially say Kellogg’s will stop putting these unhealthy ingredients in its cereals,” Paxton 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.”
Paxton launched an investigation into Kellogg’s in April for possible violations of the state’s consumer protection laws.
While the cereal giant advertises its products as “healthy,” some of its cereals are “filled with petroleum-based artificial food colorings that have been linked to hyperactivity, obesity, autoimmune disease, endocrine-related health problems, and cancer in those who consume them,” Paxton’s office said at the time. Cereals involved in the investigation include Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Frosted Flakes, and Rice Krispies.
“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,” Paxton said earlier this year. “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.’ There will be accountability for any company, including Kellogg’s, that unlawfully makes misrepresentations about its food and contributes to a broken health system that has made Americans less healthy.”
