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?
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)
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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very interesting post share. I’m looking for whole foods and more natural products.
Hey thanks – Natural, whole foods are the way to go!
My son has epilepsy and we are very careful about exposing him to dyes in foods. They have been connected to causing seizures.
Thank you for mentioning this. The dyes are an issue for many people who have special health concerns, like your son…Just another great reason to leave them out of foods, in my opinion.
So a cereal is only good if it has bright colors? Really people? Why can’t the cereal companies just put their foots down and just do the right thing.
I know, right?!
I totally get how important this is to people but I can’t say I totally align. It’s a lifestyle but I don’t think that everyone needs to adapt it or they won’t be as successful or healthy.
I love your honesty, Krystel! Our individuality makes us all unique. Of course, this is my opinion and everyone else is entitled to theirs. Our choices are often influenced by our life experiences and without diversity, life could get pretty boring. 😉
Wow! This is a very informative post. I try hard to buy products without food dyes in them when at all possible.
Thanks, Angela! That’s great – there are many healthy options out there.
This is mad that they’re going back on their decision. What about all the complaints they’re going to get now from adding them back in? I hope they listen to you and respond asap.
It seems strange to me too, Jean. Thanks!
“So the manufactures have to add colors, flavorings and nutrients back to the “food” to make it palatable” This is a very negative circle, consumers then will get use to eat ‘good-looking’ but unhealthy things, this will then push manufactures to do more of this… errrrr…
I totally agree, Yuan.
Really?? What the heck? Is the dollar so important that GM can’t stand up to consumers and say, no, we won’t hurt your health over the brightness of colors. This is ridiculous.
Yep, I hear you and I second that, Terri.
That is weird as well as disturbing, especially when many companies are becoming more mindful about ingredients in this day and age. Thanks for the heads up, though!
That’s kinda what I thought too…You’re so welcome! Thanks!
Wow, that really stinks that they would bring them back. I hope they realize there are still a whole lot of people out there who care about these dyes.
Yes, exactly. 🙂
I’ve never been a big cereal person, mostly because I don’t like milk and I’m not a huge fan of sugary, artificial foods in the morning. It’s sad to see that General Mills is opting to add artificial colors in their cereals. We need more food in our food.
It’s not good that they are regressing instead of progression. If your family has an aversion to these ingredients, boycott the product. There are many other more natural cereals out there 😉
Great points, Chrissy!
Truthfully, have never bought for my kids and won’t start now for sure. Raisan bran all the way in this house, though I am scared to find out if that has artificial colors now too.
I hear you, Cecilia. Thanks for sharing!
Personally I am glad cereal sales are down. There is far too much sugar and bad stuff in cereals and there’s much better options out there. Makes me glad I don’t buy the stuff.
Yes, I agree, Angela. There are much better options.
As a person who loves Trix and sugary cereals, I am ok with it. To each his own, right?
Yes, definitely! Everyone is entitled to buy and eat whatever they want.
I generally don’t buy the cereals with added sugar or color. I can’t believe they would back peddle for a less healthy alternative more reason not to get it.
I hear you, Melissa. And I agree 100%.
Hey, you’re so welcome, Christie! Yes, it is scary to think about.
I have been thinking for foods without the artificial colors and sweeteners. This is really scary!
Yep, exactly what I thought, Amber!
Oh my goodness thank you so much for posting this! It’s scary to think of what is in our food and what our children could be eating!
Hey, you’re so welcome, Christie! Yes, it is scary to think about.