Paxton Pounces on General Mills Over Violation of Texas Law

Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has launched a formal investigation into food giant General Mills, Inc., accusing the company of illegally marketing cereals containing petroleum-based dyes as “healthy.” The investigation follows growing concerns over the use of artificial food colorings linked to health risks, particularly for children.

General Mills, the maker of popular cereals such as Trix and Lucky Charms, promotes its products as a “good source” of vitamins and minerals. However, Attorney General Paxton’s office alleges that such claims are misleading given the presence of synthetic dyes that research suggests may contribute to hyperactivity disorders, endocrine disruption, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and childhood obesity.

In a statement, the attorney general commented, “under my watch, big food companies should be on high alert that they will be held accountable if they put toxic ingredients in our food and engage in false marketing.” “I’m proud to stand with the Trump Administration and Secretary Kennedy in taking on petroleum-based synthetic dyes and will always fight to protect the health of the American people,” he added.

Attorney General Paxton’s Civil Investigative Demand (CID) centers on General Mills’ reversal of a 2015 decision to remove artificial dyes from six cereals. Though the company initially received public praise and media attention for the reformulation, it quietly reintroduced artificial colorings just two years later, giving no warning to consumers.

The attorney general also criticized the company for failing to include any warning labels or disclosures regarding the potential health risks of these ingredients. While General Mills sells dye-free versions of its cereals in international markets, it continues to sell artificially colored versions in the United States.

This investigation follows an ongoing probe by into Kellogg’s for similar alleged violations of Texas consumer protection laws.