Renowned food safety expert Dr. Darin Detwiler has recently slammed Kellogg’s Froot Loops, calling it the “worst cereal in America.” In an interview with the Daily Mail, Dr. Detwiler explained that the cereal is “highly processed, loaded with added sugars, artificial colors, and preservatives that could lead to various health issues.” He pointed out that a single serving of Froot Loops contains 12.35 grams of sugar—equivalent to about three teaspoons—nearly half of the daily sugar intake limit for children, and noted that most kids consume far more than the recommended serving size.
Dr. Detwiler, alongside other activists, is urging Kellogg’s to reduce artificial additives and high-sugar ingredients in their cereals and to reconsider their formulations entirely. He specifically warned against the long-term health risks associated with highly processed food components, particularly artificial colors linked to cancer risks, such as Red 40. This dye has been banned in several European countries due to its association with ADHD and cancer risk, yet it remains in American products.
Nearly a decade ago, Kellogg’s pledged to eliminate all artificial colors and ingredients from their cereals by 2018, but that promise has yet to be fully realized. Dr. Detwiler suggests that high-sugar, high-artificial color cereals like Froot Loops and Lucky Charms should only be enjoyed occasionally and should not be a part of a daily diet.
Recently, actress Eva Mendes also voiced her concerns on Instagram about harmful dyes in American children’s cereals, including Froot Loops. She pointed out that the Canadian version has replaced artificial colors with natural sources like blueberry, carrot, and watermelon juice, while the American version still uses artificial ingredients such as Red 40.
Last week, Mendes called on her 6.6 million followers to participate in a peaceful protest at Kellogg’s headquarters in Michigan, delivering a petition signed by nearly 400,000 people. In her Instagram post, she wrote, “I grew up eating cereal and I still love it, but after learning that these ingredients are banned in other countries, I no longer choose Kellogg’s products because those ingredients are harmful to kids.”
In response, Kellogg’s stated that 85% of their cereal products are now free of artificial colors. However, the company has not provided a specific explanation regarding their failure to fully deliver on their earlier commitment.
