Michigan Rep. Mark Tisdel takes on food giants, demanding the removal of artificial food dyes and preservatives from kids’ cereals in a fiery new push for healthier options.
A Tale of Two Cereals: Why the U.S. Gets Artificial Additives and Canada Doesn’t
When it comes to breakfast cereals, the U.S. seems to be getting the short end of the stick—or, perhaps, the brightly colored spoon. State Representative Mark Tisdel is calling out Kellogg’s for continuing to use artificial food dyes and chemical preservatives in American versions of its cereals, even though Canadian kids enjoy naturally colored, preservative-free versions of the same products.
“If they can do it there, they can do it here,” Tisdel argued in a November statement. “It’s not a matter of can’t—it’s a matter of won’t.”
The irony is glaring: Canadians get vibrant cereal hues from natural sources like beet juice and turmeric, while Americans are fed a chemical cocktail made from petroleum derivatives and coal tar. Additives like butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)—banned in several countries but legal in the U.S.—are also on the ingredient list. According to Tisdel, the answer is clear: “Companies prioritize profit over health, plain and simple.” BHT is only one of over fourteen foods that are acceptable in the United States but are banned in other countries.
FDA, Where Are You? The Lingering Doubts About Safety
The FDA has launched an investigation into the potential harms of artificial food dyes, but Tisdel isn’t waiting for regulatory agencies to catch up. “If the FDA is even considering health risks, why do we still let companies put these chemicals in our food?” he asked pointedly.
Critics of artificial dyes argue that they offer no nutritional benefit and exist solely to make foods more appealing to children. The vivid colors attract young eyes and, as Tisdel noted, encourage relentless “pester power” that leads to harried parents capitulating at the grocery store.
“Dyes aren’t food. They don’t add flavor, nutrients, or anything of value,” said one activist aligned with Tisdel’s efforts. “They’re purely aesthetic, and they’re not worth the risk.”
Ultra-Processed Foods: A Cheap Diet, A Costly Future
Tisdel places the cereal controversy within a broader context: the rise of ultra-processed foods, a trend that began in the 1970s to combat food insecurity but has since spiraled out of control. These products, engineered for long shelf lives and mass distribution, have saturated the market with cheap, nutritionally void options. The consequences, he argues, are clear in the nation’s declining health.
“There’s an old saying: the longer the shelf life, the shorter your life,” Tisdel quipped. The quip has teeth; studies link ultra-processed diets to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Tisdel plans to introduce legislation targeting food dyes as a first step toward reversing these trends. “We need a food supply overhaul,” he declared. “It’s time to start putting health before shelf life.”
Big Spending, Small Margins: The Politics of Healthy Eating
Tisdel’s renewed focus on food policy comes on the heels of a heated reelection campaign. Despite being vastly outspent—his opponent’s campaign shelled out $83.90 per vote compared to his $2.49—Tisdel won resoundingly.
“Improving the health of our population is one of the major issues I plan on working on next term. Specifically, I intend to introduce legislation to get artificial food dyes out of our food as one step forward..”
Still, he’s aware that pushing for stricter food regulations could spark backlash, particularly from powerful food corporations. “This isn’t about punishing businesses,” he said. “It’s about creating a healthier future for our kids. If that ruffles some feathers, so be it.”
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