If you’ve ever traveled abroad and grabbed a box of Froot Loops, you might’ve done a double-take. That same cereal in Europe or Canada? Muted. Earthy. Dare we say…natural-looking. Meanwhile, back in the U.S., your cereal bowl looks like a neon rave.
The difference? Synthetic food dyes—particularly Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1—are still used in American breakfast cereals. But globally? Not so much. Countries across Europe and Canada have replaced these artificial colors with natural alternatives, such as carrot juice and blueberry extract. They’ve also added warning labels to foods that still contain synthetic dyes, linking them to hyperactivity and behavioral issues in children.
The U.S. is finally catching on. After mounting pressure, the FDA just announced it will phase out eight artificial dyes over the next two years. Red 40, in particular, has raised alarms—linked to hyperactivity and possibly cancer, it’s already banned in many countries.
A viral TikTok by creator Joseph DeBenedictis showed the shocking contrast between Canadian and American Froot Loops. The U.S. version? Glowing with color and packed with additives like BHT (a controversial preservative also used in beauty products). The Canadian version? Dull by comparison—but made with real fruit and veggie extracts.
Former FDA advisor Dr. Darin Detwiler calls Froot Loops “the worst cereal in America,” and he’s not alone. Nutritionists warn that these sugary, artificially colored cereals should be occasional treats, not daily breakfasts.
Kellogg’s once promised to ditch artificial colors by 2018. It hasn’t. And while 85% of its cereals may now be dye-free, the loudest boxes on the shelf still raise red flags—literally.
So ask yourself: Is a rainbow bowl worth the risk?
