Froot Loops recall triggered by petroleum-based chemicals in box liners

The recent Froot Loops recall may have been caused by a petroleum-based chemical in cereal liners.

Kelloggs.com

 

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The nonprofit organization Environmental Working Group announced on Tuesday that a petroleum-based compound, methylnaphthalene, was the root cause behind last month's recall of 28 million boxes of Kellogg's cereal, including Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Honey Smacks, and Corn Pops boxes.

What caused the massive cereal recall

Methylnaphthalene, a component of crude oil and crude tar, was part of the chemical makeup of packaging liners in the affected boxes of Froot Loops cereal.  When the methylnaphthalene in the defective liners leached into the cereal, it apparently caused an "off taste and smell" strong enough to trigger nausea and vomiting in some consumers. 

After news of those consumer complaints reached Kellogg's, the company voluntarily announced the recall. 

Read the original article, "Froot Loops recall: Kellogg's explains what happened".

Kellogg's had not previously publicly identified methylnaphthalene as the problematic ingredient in the defective liners, but a Kellogg's company nurse gave the information to EWG researchers, who had called the 1-800 Kellogg's number for more information.

In the July 13 EWG article, "Kellogg's Cereal Recall: Health Risks from Packaging?", the nonprofit organization says that methylnaphthalene has been "commonly detected in air pollutants from cigarette smoke, diesel and gasoline engine exhaust, wood smoke, tar and asphalt ", and that the government has yet to determine safe exposure levels to the chemical.

EWG also recommends both Kellogg's and the FDA "disclose the exact chemical composition and concentration of methylnaphthalene and any other compounds that leach from the cereal packaging, and to make public its safety data and its assessment of human health risks to those who were exposed."

What happens next

In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill giving the Food and Drug Administration the authority to order and implement mandatory recalls, rather than oversee voluntary recalls such as the Kellogg's cereal recall.  The Senate has yet to act on the bill, although the publicity surrounding the Froot Loops recall may trigger movement amongst Democrats to push for passage. 

Meanwhile, Kellogg's is still reimbursing consumers with recalled boxes of Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Honey Smacks, or Corn Pops via free replacement coupons.  Customers can call their toll-free number, (888) 801-4163, between 8am and 8pm Eastern Standard Time, to request a free replacement coupon. 

To determine if you may have purchased a recalled cereal box, read the original article, "Kellogg's announces massive cereal recall:  Apple Jacks, Froot Loops, and others affected."

Make sure you check your pantry for these other recent recalls:

Feline's Pride cat food recalled nationally due to salmonella contamination

Scope mouthwash recalled for faulty child-resistant cap

Texas-based manufacturing plant recalls 15 million cans of SpaghettiOs

Frozen and canned food recalls: how to keep your family safe

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