Tag: Consumer advocacy

In 2016, In-N-Out Burger publicly committed to moving away from sourcing beef raised with antibiotics important to human medicine. Despite this pledge, the company has provided limited public updates on its progress, leaving many consumers wondering about the presence of antibiotics in their burgers.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, undeclared allergens and faulty labels are among the most common reasons for food recalls. If you find a food product that has been incorrectly labelled, taking immediate action is crucial for consumer safety and to prevent others from being misled or harmed.

In 2013, a viral online petition helped pressure PepsiCo to remove the controversial ingredient brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from its citrus-flavored Gatorade drinks. This significant event, however, is just one chapter in Gatorade's history of ingredient changes, which have also been influenced by shifts in consumer preferences toward healthier, more natural options.

According to a 2025 Gallup poll, fewer Americans than ever are confident in the nation's food safety regulations. This growing distrust is fueled by a critical question: why doesn't the US ban chemicals in food that are prohibited in many other countries? The answer lies in a complex interplay of regulatory frameworks, industry influence, and differing approaches to risk.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally announced a ban on the color additive Red Dye No. 3 in food products in early 2025, over three decades after prohibiting its use in cosmetics. While food manufacturers have until 2027 to reformulate, countless products containing this controversial ingredient have been on store shelves for years. Many consumers are now scrutinizing product labels to identify and avoid foods with Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic colorant linked to health concerns in animal studies.

In January 2025, the FDA announced a nationwide ban on FD&C Red No. 3 for food and ingested drugs, a long-anticipated move following decades of consumer safety concerns. What food dye has been banned in the US? The federal ruling marked a major victory for advocates, prompted by mounting evidence linking the color additive to health risks, particularly cancer in animal studies.

Following a series of customer complaints and lawsuits, both Dunkin' and Starbucks officially eliminated their non-dairy milk surcharges in late 2024 and early 2025, respectively. This major policy shift means customers no longer pay an extra fee for plant-based alternatives like oat, almond, or soy milk in their beverages.

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Red Dye 40 is one of the most widely used synthetic food colorings in the United States, and it is frequently found in many breakfast cereals aimed at children. This petroleum-based colorant is added to processed foods to create vibrant, eye-catching hues, but its use has been at the center of ongoing health and safety debates.

According to numerous consumer advocacy groups, BHT, a synthetic preservative, is still used in many Kellogg's cereals sold in the United States, even as the company offers BHT-free versions overseas. This stark double standard has put a spotlight on the question: does Kellogg's use BHT, and what are the implications for American consumers?

Did you know that over 75% of food products in Canadian grocery stores may contain GMOs, yet mandatory labeling does not exist? To identify GMO foods in Canada, consumers must look beyond standard labels and understand the voluntary certification system.