Protesters demand Kellogg remove artificial colors from Froot Loops and other cereals

abcnews.go.com:

Dozens of people have rallied outside the Michigan headquarters of WK Kellogg Co. to demand that the company remove artificial dyes from their cereals in the U.S. The maker of Froot Loops and Apple Jacks announced nearly a decade ago that it would remo...

Dozens of people rallied outside the Michigan headquarters of WK Kellogg Co. Tuesday, demanding that the company remove artificial dyes from its breakfast cereals in the U.S.

Kellogg, the maker of Froot Loops and Apple Jacks, announced nearly a decade ago that it would remove artificial colors and ingredients from its products by 2018.

The company has done that in other countries. In Canada, for example, Froot Loops are colored with concentrated carrot juice, watermelon juice and blueberry juice. But in the U.S., the cereal still contains artificial colors and BHT, a chemical preservative.

On Tuesday, activists said they were delivering petitions with more than 400,000 signatures asking WK Kellogg to remove artificial dyes and BHT from their cereals. Protesters said there was evidence that artificial dyes can contribute to behavioral issues in children.

“I'm here for all the mothers who struggle to feed their kids healthy food without added chemicals,” said Vani Hari, a food activist who previously pressured Kraft Heinz to remove artificial dyes from its macaroni and cheese.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has reviewed and evaluated the effects of color additives on children's behavior but believes that most children have no adverse effects when consuming them.

Battle Creek, Michigan-based WK Kellogg became a separate company last year when its snack division was spun off to form Kellanova. Kellanova kept the company's international cereal business; it