Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Bars US vs UK Packaging

I saw this story on Fooducate and had been meaning to write about it here on SISG.  Its really interesting to see from a packaging and product perspective the differences on this product.  In an age when companies are looking for ways to reduce and streamline production costs its so interesting to me that Kellogg's would go to the trouble to produce two totally different versions of this staple item.  Why wouldn't Kellogg's just produce one version for sale in its markets using the natural dyes?

Take a look at the two packages for Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain cereal bars. One is made here for us. The other is made in the UK for Europeans. Both use food coloring to achieve a more “strawberry-ish” color.

In the UK, the coloring is achieved using beetroot. But in the US, the coloring is Red No. 40, a dye that has been associated with hyperactivity, and some types of cancer.

Why not use the beetroot? The answer is that Kellogg’s probably saves half a penny on each bar using an artificial dye rather than using a natural one.

So why does Kellogg’s use the beets in Europe? Because in Europe the regulator has required WARNING LABELS on products with Red 40. Just like cigarettes. Kellogg’s did the bottom line calculation and decided the loss in sales would cause much more damage than the savings on the food dye.

But in the US, the FDA has given red 40 a GRAS status (Generally recognized as Safe). The reason is one of approach:

In Europe manufacturers need to prove an ingredient is SAFE beyond a shadow of a doubt for it to be approved for use.

In the US researchers need to prove an ingredient is DANGEROUS beyond a shadow of a doubt for it to be banned.

via Fooducate

Comments

[CarbonPig]

I maintain http://carbonpig.com sustainable products review site and we have been wondering about Kellog's brand strategy with this one for some time.

We have seen many things like this happen in the US. Take for example, the other sustainability issues like the competition between biofuels and the grain markets.

I think companies like Kellog have some larger life cycle issues to worry about. Their grain harvest cycles would be one example. I have no information on whether or not real Beet is more sustainable than red-40. Maybe red-40 is made from recycled materials or something to that effect.

Just food for thought,

http://CarbonPig.com