Paxton claimed that Mars, Incorporated has not removed toxic dyes from products sold in the U.S., despite the company publicly pledging to do so in 2016.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into a multinational food manufacturing company over what he refers to “deceptive trade practices that violate Texas consumers’ rights.”
Paxton claims that Virginia-based Mars, Incorporated has not removed toxic dyes from products sold in the U.S., despite the company publicly pledging to do so in 2016. The attorney general also claims that the company did remove artificial colors from its products sold in Europe.
Toxic dyes -which are used in textiles and some foods- have been linked to various health problems, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism and cancer. In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned a dye called Red 3 from the nation’s food supply, nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of a potential cancer risk. Scientists discovered its links to cancer in lab rats more than 30 years ago.
Mars is the maker of various candies, including Skittles, M&M’s, Milky Way and Twix. The company also makes pet food under brands like Iams and Pedigree, although no pet food brands were mentioned in Paxton’s announcement.
Paxton said he has issued a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) to obtain documents from Mars as part of the investigation.
“Mars must remove toxic artificial dyes from its U.S. food products not only to honor its public commitment and ensure that it stays on the right side of the law, but also because it’s the right thing to do,” Paxton said in a Wednesday news release. “It’s clear that the movement to remove artificial colorings from our food supply is making incredible progress, and it’s time for Mars to follow the lead of other companies like Nestle and Hershey by removing synthetic dyes from its products. For the health of Texans and all Americans, Mars must fulfill its 2016 pledge to get rid of these toxic ingredients.”
This is not the first food manufacturer targeted by Paxton over artificial dyes. In May, the attorney general launched an investigation into General Mills for illegally misrepresenting its food products as “healthy” despite the fact that they contain petroleum-based food colorings.
Great Job & the Team @ WFAA RSS Feed: news Source link for sharing this story.
