Last Updated on January 3, 2021 by Lori Geurin
It’s only been a year and a half since General Mills removed the artificial flavors and colors from their Trix cereal, and guess what? In October they’re adding the unnatural stuff back. For real. Red #40, Yellow #6, and Blue #1 Isn’t this going in the wrong direction? Like, completely?
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General Mills Bringing Back The Artificial Colors
The Artificial Flip Flop
Back in 2015, General Mills announced that they would remove the artificial colors and flavors from all their cereals. At the time the president of General Mill’s cereal division, Jim Murphy said,
“We’re simply listening to consumers, and these ingredients are not what people are looking for in their cereal today.”
True that.
Personally, as a consumer and a mom to four kids, I’m looking for whole foods and more natural products. So to me, removing the artificial ingredients was a big plus. At our house, we don’t eat much cereal (lots of eggs, smoothies, and oats, plus I rarely eat breakfast because I do the intermittent fasting thing nearly every day). But when I buy it I look for gluten-free options that are free from artificial colors and flavors.
General Mills explained they are bringing the artificial ingredients back due to an outcry from their fans. Apparently some customers complained they didn’t like the duller colors of the newer, naturally colored cereal and they wanted the brightly (though artificial) colored Trix back.
While it’s true that people can choose to eat whatever they want, the way General Mills flip-flopped is disturbing to me. It seems they’re not concerned with the health of the very people who buy their cereal.
Although plenty of people know about the harmful effects of artificial ingredients in our foods, there are many others who don’t. What about them?
Everyone deserves to know the truth about how ingredients in the foods we eat can impact our health.
It’s baffling why General Mills would go back on this, especially when we review what research shows these artificial ingredients can do to your body. What’s worse is kids are particularly vulnerable to the harmful impact of these additives.
Health Risks Of Artificial Food Dyes
- Can cause hyperactivity and behavior problems in children who are particularly sensitive (1)
- Some dyes may contain carcinogenic (cancer-causing) toxins (2)
- Can cause allergic reactions (3)
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What’s Up With Food Colorings Anyway?
Let’s consider for a second why companies add artificial colorings, to begin with. When foods are processed the natural textures, colors and appearances are stripped away…not to mention the essential nutrients.
What’s left is a sickening pile of blah. (Have you watched any food documentaries lately?)
So the manufacturers have to add colors, flavorings, and nutrients back to the “food” to make it palatable….so people will buy it and eat the stuff.
Summary – General Mills Bringing Back The Artificial Colors
Recent reports suggest cereal sales in the U.S. are down 7 percent from last year. Americans aren’t into cereal like they used to be and the cereal companies seem desperate to drum up a little business.
Adding artificial ingredients back is a big mistake. It will definitely make me think twice before I buy cereal (or anything else) from General Mills in the future.
Eating a diet rich in brightly colored whole foods is the best way to avoid the harmful effects of food dyes. So enjoy a bowl of brilliant blue blueberries and red strawberries. Or polish off a big green salad topped with red, yellow, and green peppers, tomatoes, purple onions, cabbage, and oranges. These foods are full of the essential nutrients your body needs for health and vitality.
*I’ve sent General Mills an email expressing my concern and objection over this decision and am awaiting their response. I will update this post as soon as I hear back from them.
What do you think about General Mills bringing back the artificial colors in Trix cereal?
Leave your comments below. Your opinion matters to me!
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