MINNEAPOLIS -- General Mills said it has committed to removing artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources from its cereals in response to consumers’ changing preferences. Currently, more than 60% of General Mills cereals, like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Original Cheerios, follow this formula.
The company plans to have more than 90% of the portfolio free of artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources by the end of 2016. By the end of 2017, the goal is to have all General Mills cereals free from artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources.
“At General Mills Cereals, we have been upgrading the nutrition and ingredients in our cereals for years to meet people's needs and desires,” said Jim Murphy, president of the General Mills cereal division. “We’ve continued to listen to consumers who want to see more recognizable and familiar ingredients on the labels and challenged ourselves to remove barriers that prevent adults and children from enjoying our cereals.”
According to a survey conducted by Nielsen on behalf of General Mills, 49% of households are making an effort to avoid artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources. To respond to this growing need, General Mills Cereals will be using more recognizable, familiar ingredients to create its colors and flavors. Trix and Reese’s Puffs will be among the first of the remaining brands to change.
Trix will now use ingredients like fruit and vegetable juices and spice extracts such as turmeric and annatto to achieve its red, yellow, orange and purple colors. Reese’s Puff will continue to use peanut butter and cocoa and incorporate natural vanilla flavor to achieve the same taste that consumers have enjoyed.
The company said it expects the updated Trix and Reese’s Puffs cereals to be on store shelves this winter.
“We have a lot of hard work ahead of us and we know some products will present challenges as we strive to uphold the taste, quality and fun in every spoonful of cereal,” said Kate Gallager, General Mills cereal developer. “Cereals that contain marshmallows, like Lucky Charms, may take longer, but we are committed to finding a way to keep the magically delicious taste as we work to take out the artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources.”
Minneapolis-based General Mills operates in more than 100 countries around the world and had fiscal 2014 worldwide sales of $17.9 billion. Its brands include Cheerios, Fiber One, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki and more.
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