WK Kellogg Co says it’s removing artificial dyes from cereals by the end of this year

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Category: Health

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. synthetic / sɪnˈθɛt ɪk / (adj.) – made by combining artificial chemicals or man-made materials
    Example:

    The soda brand uses synthetic colors to make its drinks look more colorful.


  2. distinctive / dɪˈstɪŋk tɪv / (adj.) – having a special quality, look, or feature that makes a person or thing easy to recognize and different from others
    Example:

    The bakery is famous for the distinctive smell of its fresh cheese rolls.


  3. preservative / prɪˈzɜr və tɪv / (n.) – a chemical or substance added to food or products to keep them fresh and stop them from going bad
    Example:

    He prefers to eat healthy food, so he only uses natural preservatives like salt.


  4. recognizable / ˈrek əɡ naɪ zə bəl / (adj.) – easy to know, name, or remember because it has been seen, heard, or known before
    Example:

    The company logo is famous and easily recognizable around the world.


  5. petition / pəˈtɪʃ ən / (n.) – a written document signed by many people to ask a person, company, or government to change something
    Example:

    Workers signed a petition asking for better safety rules at their company.


Article

Read the text below.

WK Kellogg Co said that it will remove artificial colors from all its cereals by the end of this year.


The change comes a year ahead of schedule. Kellogg said last August 2025 that it would remove synthetic dyes from its cereals by the end of 2027.


But the company said it has identified fruit- and vegetable-based juices that will give cereals like Froot Loops and Apple Jacks their distinctive colors. The Battle Creek, Michigan-based company said it has also invested in equipment that will allow it to transition to natural colors.


The company said it is also removing BHT, an artificial preservative, from the small number of cereals that still contain it.


“More and more consumers are looking for foods made with simple, recognizable ingredients, and we are proud to meet those expectations even sooner than planned,” Kellogg Chief Growth Officer Doug VanDeVelde said in a statement.


Kellogg has faced pressure for years to remove artificial ingredients from its cereals, which it has already done in other countries like Canada. In 2024, dozens of people rallied outside Kellogg’s headquarters and delivered petitions with 400,000 signatures asking the company to remove artificial dyes and BHT.


That pressure has grown under President Donald Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has urged food companies to phase out petroleum-based artificial dyes. Last August 2025, Kellogg also signed an agreement with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton saying it would “permanently remove toxic dyes” from its cereals by the end of 2027.


Retailers are also forcing companies to act. Earlier this year, Target said it would stop selling cereals that contain artificial colors by the end of May. Walmart has also said it will remove artificial colors from its store brands by January 2027.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Kellogg Chief Growth Officer Doug VanDeVelde said, “More and more consumers are looking for foods made with simple, recognizable ingredients.” Why do you think more consumers prefer simple, recognizable ingredients to artificial ones? Discuss.
  • How conscious are you about reading the ingredients list on the food packages you buy?
    What specific ingredients do you usually look for, and what are those that you avoid? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • If foods like colorful cereals or snacks looked and tasted different because of the natural ingredients used, would you still want to buy them? Why or why not? How might these changes affect your eating habits or brand choices? Discuss.
  • How do you think bright colors affect your appetite or choices when picking food at the grocery store? Do you think the brighter the color of the food is, the more delicious it is? Why or why not? Discuss.