Trump-backed AG launches probe into major cereal brand over ingredients linked to cancer

Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General and a vocal supporter of former President Trump, has initiated a probe into the large food manufacturer Kellogg’s on suspicion of breaching state regulations.

Paxton claims that Kellogg’s supposedly ‘nutritious’ cereals contain synthetic food colorings derived from petroleum, which have been associated with hyperactivity and behavioral disorders in kids, obesity, hormonal imbalances, and even cancer.

Asserting that the company must face consequences, Paxton remarked that Kellogg’s is allegedly misleading consumers about the health benefits of its products and is contributing to a healthcare system that is failing to keep Americans well.

Mr Paxton’s investigation into the possible violations of the state’s consumer protection law aligns with the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Initiative spearheaded by Robert F Kennedy Jr, a long-time crusader against the FDA’s lax approach to regulating foods and the chemicals in them.

He has taken aim at Kellogg’s Fruit Loops in the past, as well as other processed foods, saying that the dyes and additives used to make them are ‘literally poisoning our kids.’

Kellogg’s pledged in 2015 to remove artificial flavors and colors from its cereals by 2018. The country’s largest cereal manufacturer added that it had already stopped using dyes in 75 percent of its cereals, with more than half of them being made without artificial flavors.

Yet, as Mr Paxton and other officials have pointed out, products like Froot Loops and Apple Jacks are made with Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Yellow 6 – all of which are derived from petroleum.

Mr Paxton said: ‘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¿s probe into alleged consumer protection violations mirrors Trump-era health initiatives aiming to do away with food dyes and their reported health effects

Paxton’s probe into alleged consumer protection violations mirrors Trump-era health initiatives aiming to do away with food dyes and their reported health effects

Kellogg’s cereals contain types of blue, red, yellow, green, and orange food colorings. 

Despite removing those unhealthy ingredients from products distributed in Canada and Europe, ‘it has not done so in the United States,’ the AG’s office said.

Under the state’s consumer protection laws, it’s illegal for a company to misrepresent the quality, ingredients, or characteristics of a product.

If Kellogg’s publicly claimed it would remove dyes and continued using them without clearly communicating that to consumers, that could be considered a misrepresentation.

Its public statement to remove dyes from all cereals could compel the state to treat it as an ‘express warranty.’ 

Under this concept, failing to deliver on that promise could constitute a breach, which is actionable under the law.

Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 contain benzidine, a human and animal carcinogen permitted in low, presumably safe levels in dyes.

According to the FDA, ingestion of free benzidine raises the cancer risk to just under the ‘concern’ threshold, or one cancer in 1 million people.

Canadian researchers have also found Red 40, also known as Allura red, can hamper the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients, water, and electrolytes, increasing a person’s risk of developing an inflammatory bowel disease.

They say this wearing down of the body’s defenses could make people more susceptible to ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Blue 1 is found in candies like gummy bears. Both of these ingredients have been associated with hyperactivity and inattention in children.

Several food dyes are banned or contain warning labels in Europe, where food and drug regulators have more oversight than the FDA.

Unlike European regulators, who proactively review ingredient lists and formulations before products reach store shelves, US regulators tend to take a more reactive approach.

State legislatures are increasingly approaching the issue of food dyes in a way that aligns with RFK’s perspective.

Under Trump's Make American Health Again movement, food dyes have become public enemy number one

Under Trump’s Make American Health Again movement, food dyes have become public enemy number one 

In California, Gov Gavin Newsom signed a landmark law that outlawed Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, and Green 3 from the meals, drinks, and snacks served at schools statewide.

Several other states are working on similar legislation, including Virginia, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and New York, receiving bipartisan support.

The AG did not go into detail about this investigation and what it will entail, but a lawsuit going Mr Paxton’s way is highly possible, given that several of the State Supreme Court judges have ruled in his favor in the past.

Paxton also frequently files cases in courts presided over by Trump-appointed judges.

You May Also Like
When Is ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Episode 5 Release Date? When Do New TLOU Episodes Come Out on HBO?

“When Will The Next Episode of ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Be Released on HBO?”

The Last of Us Season 2 continues to follow Ellie (played by…
Putin proposes direct peace talks with Ukraine to end war

“Putin suggests holding direct peace negotiations with Ukraine as a solution to end conflict”

Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested direct discussions with Ukrainian officials on Sunday…
Detectives’ true crime podcast helps dig up breakthrough in case that haunted family: ‘drew audible gasp’

Detectives’ true crime podcast leads to a breakthrough in long-standing case that left family shocked: ‘drew audible gasp’

What started as a way for a pair of two Illinois detectives…
Israel-Hamas war latest: Edan Alexander, last living American hostage in Gaza, will be released in truce efforts

Recent update on Israel-Hamas conflict: Edan Alexander, the only surviving American captive in Gaza, to be freed as part of peace negotiations

In Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Hamas has announced that Edan Alexander, the…
Putin savages Ukraine with drone attack hours after announcing Istanbul 'peace talks' that Trump called a 'potentially great day'

Putin launches drone attack on Ukraine shortly after announcing ‘peace talks’ in Istanbul that Trump praised as a ‘promising development’

Shortly after announcing peace negotiations that were praised by US President Donald…
Unbelievable reason ex-cheerleader removed barrier before driving into cop at crowded street fair

Former cheerleader removes barrier before intentionally driving into police officer at crowded street fair

Maryland police were surprised when a BMW driver crashed into an officer…
Treasury Sec. Bessent Hints at Game-Changing China Trade Deal Breakthrough—Details Expected Monday

Treasury Secretary Bessent Suggests Major Breakthrough in China Trade Deal — More Information Coming Monday

According to @SecScottBessent, there has been a high level of productivity in…
Border bosses release shock update after mass brawl at ICE hub... as new video emerges

Authorities at the border provide surprising update following a large fight at an ICE facility…with the emergence of fresh footage

An administration official informs Daily Mail that a heated altercation took place…
Trump vows to increase trade with India, Pakistan after praising ceasefire agreement: 'A job well done!'

Trump pledges to boost trade with India and Pakistan following praise of ceasefire deal: ‘Great work!’

Promising to enhance trade with India and Pakistan, U.S. President Donald Trump…
The Room Where It Happened: Details of How Trump Team Facilitated Huge India-Pakistan Ceasefire

Inside Story: How Trump Team Brokered Significant India-Pakistan Ceasefire

Even though the specific perpetrators of the massacre have not been identified,…
Trump's transport secretary's astonishing verdict about Newark Airport safety... hours after ANOTHER blackout

Transport Secretary of Trump Administration gives surprising opinion on safety of Newark Airport shortly after another power outage

The Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has declared that flying out of Newark…
I accused my dad on a TV game show of having sex with a 14-year-old girl. It ended my family... but won me $500,000

I accused my dad on a TV game show of being intimate with a minor. It tore my family apart but earned me $500,000

Melanie Williams hadn’t even turned 10 when her father arrived home to…