Eva Mendes has demanded the removal of ‘harmful’ food dyes in popular American children’s cereals.
The 50-year-old actress took to Instagram last week to warn about artificial dyes in Kellogg’s cereals like Froot Loops.
Dyes such as red 40 and yellow 5 have been banned in several European countries for their links to hyperactivity and cancer, and are not present in most products internationally such as those in Australia.
But they continue to persist in US versions.
The brand promised to remove artificial colors and ingredients from all of its cereals nearly a decade ago by 2018 but has yet to deliver on that promise.
Mendes, who shares two daughters with husband Ryan Gosling, called on Kellogg’s to remove these dyes and urged her 6.6million followers to join a ‘peaceful march to Kellogg’s HQ.’
That protest took place Tuesday outside of the cereal giant’s Michigan headquarters, where dozens of activists delivered a petition with nearly 400,000 signatures.
Actress Eva Mendes took to Instagram last week to call for Kellogg’s to remove ‘harmful’ food dyes and additives from its cereals
Froot Loops in the US contain red 40, yellow 5, blue 1, yellow 6, and BHT, which have been linked to hyperactivity in kids, thyroid issues, and cancer
Mendes wrote on Instagram: ‘I grew up on cereal. I still love it but I won’t eat @kelloggsus anymore after I found out that so many of the ingredients they use here in the US are BANNED in other countries.
‘Why? Because they’re harmful for children.’
Mendes compared the nutrition labels of Froot Loops in the US and Canada.
The American variety contains red 40, yellow 5, blue 1, yellow 6, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which have been linked to health problems in children.
Canadian Froot Loops replaced these dyes with concentrated blueberry, carrot, and watermelon juices.
In a statement, Kellogg’s said: ‘Our products – and the ingredients we use to make them – are compliant with all applicable relevant laws and regulations.’
‘We remain committed to transparently labeling our ingredients so consumers can easily make choices about the food they purchase.’
The company also claims that 85 percent of its cereals do not contain colors from artificial sources.
Mendes, who shares two daughters with Ryan Gosling (pictured here at the Paris Olympics), said that while she grew up on Kellogg’s cereals, she stays away from them now because they are ‘harmful to children’
Mendes shared the above comparison of Froot Loops in the US versus Canada
California has banned six food additives, while states like New York and Illinois have introduced similar legislation
Red 40, yellows 5 and 6, and blue 1 are dyes used to give cereals and other processed foods their bright colors.
They have been theorized to exacerbate attentional problems in children, leading EU regulators to mandate that product makers say dyes could cause ‘an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.’
A 2021 report from California’s Environmental Protection Agency also linked artificial dyes to “hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems” in some children, particularly those with ADHD or other existing behavioral disorders.
Red 40 as well as Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 also contain benzidene, a human and animal carcinogen permitted in low levels.
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.
BHT, meanwhile, is an additive used to keep food fresh. It also may be found in beauty products like lip glosses and lotions, as well as chewing gum.
The research on BHT is mixed, though some studies have suggested that it long-term exposure cause liver and thyroid issues in mice by disrupting hormones.
Several states have made steps to ban or restrict these additives. Earlier this year, California became the first state to ban schools from serving foods containing red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1, blue 6, and green 3.
In March, New York state officials called for the removal of red dye No. 3, propylparaben, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), potassium bromate, titanium dioxide, azodicarbonamide, and BHA.
