Consumer Reports Warns of Dangerous Plastic Chemicals in General Mills Products

Consumer Reports continues to raise alarms about the presence of plastic chemicals in food products, recently targeting General Mills for including these risky substances in its range of products. On Thursday, advocates delivered a petition signed by over 30,000 people to General Mills’ headquarters in Golden Valley, Minnesota, demanding action to eliminate potentially hazardous plastic chemicals from their food items.

The petition highlights the presence of plasticizers, chemicals that make plastic more flexible and resilient. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to these substances poses health risks. Studies have linked plasticizers to disruptions in hormone production, including estrogen, and to diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, certain cancers, and birth defects.

“Given that steady exposure to even very small amounts of these chemicals over time could increase health risks, we urge Annie’s and General Mills to immediately take the necessary steps to monitor and eliminate the presence of these chemicals across all of your brands,” the petition stated.

This recent petition follows a Consumer Reports study earlier this year that tested 85 different foods. The tests revealed that Annie’s Homegrown, an organic brand owned by General Mills, had the highest concentration of phthalates, the most commonly used plasticizer, particularly in its Organic Cheesy Ravioli. Other General Mills products, including those under the Yoplait, Cheerios, Green Giant, and Progresso brands, were also found to contain these chemicals. In February, Consumer Reports alerted General Mills about “concerning” levels of phthalates in several of its products.

“We did test a variety of foods, and some of the highest concentrations were in General Mills’ products,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for Consumer Reports, to CBS MoneyWatch. He emphasized that the company needs to identify the source of these chemicals, which could be introduced through third-party suppliers or during production processes.

Ronholm noted that plastic chemicals can enter food through packaging, plastic tubing, conveyor belts, and plastic gloves used during food handling. In response, a General Mills spokesperson stated, “Food safety is our top priority at General Mills. All our products adhere to regulatory requirements, and we review our ingredients, packaging, and suppliers on a regular basis to ensure quality.”

While avoiding plastic chemicals entirely is challenging, Ronholm advised consumers to reduce their exposure by using glass storage containers and water bottles instead of plastic ones. He also called for federal regulators to develop rules to manage these substances, noting that there are currently no regulatory requirements in place.

Related Content:

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• General Mills Gives $4 Million to Increase Bee Habitat by 100,000 Acres in the Next 5 Years
• General Mills Commits to Sustainable Palm Oil!

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