General Mills Responds to Consumer Demand
In the years leading up to 2014, concerns over genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which the USDA now refers to as bioengineered (BE) food, became a prominent topic among consumers. General Mills, the producer of Cheerios, was faced with a grassroots campaign, led by groups like Green America's GMO Inside, that targeted the popular breakfast cereal. The campaign put pressure on the company through consumer feedback on social media and other channels, calling for the removal of genetically engineered ingredients.
On January 2, 2014, General Mills announced that it would be removing bioengineered ingredients from its Original Cheerios. The change was framed as a response to consumer preferences, with a company spokesperson stating, “We believe consumers will embrace it”. This decision marked a notable shift in the food industry, with a major company publicly moving away from GMO sourcing for one of its flagship products.
The Ingredients in Question
To understand the change, it's crucial to identify which ingredients were potentially bioengineered. The main ingredient in Original Cheerios is whole grain oats. It's important to note that, at the time, there were no commercially available genetically modified oats, so this component of the cereal was never bioengineered.
The bioengineered materials were found in other, smaller volume ingredients, specifically:
- Sugar: Some sugar used in Original Cheerios could have been sourced from sugar beets, a crop of which a significant portion is genetically engineered.
- Corn Starch: This was another potential bioengineered ingredient, as most corn grown in the United States is genetically engineered.
Following the announcement, General Mills changed its sourcing practices to use non-GMO pure cane sugar instead of beet sugar and corn starch derived from non-bioengineered corn. The cereal's recipe, in terms of its core nutritional profile, remained fundamentally the same. The change primarily involved how and where these specific ingredients were procured.
The Difference Between Bioengineered and Non-Bioengineered
Bioengineered food refers to food containing detectable genetic material that has been modified through specific lab techniques that cannot be replicated through conventional breeding. The USDA requires products containing such detectable material to be labeled as “bioengineered food”. A non-bioengineered product, such as the current Original Cheerios, is made without these ingredients.
Consumers often have varied motivations for seeking non-bioengineered products, including environmental concerns and personal health preferences. While regulatory bodies and many scientific organizations, like the FDA, have generally deemed bioengineered foods on the market safe, public opinion and demand have driven some companies to make these sourcing changes.
Common Bioengineered Crops and Their Uses
- Corn: Used for cornstarch, corn oil, high-fructose corn syrup, and animal feed.
- Soybean: Used for soybean oil, soy lecithin, and animal feed.
- Sugar Beet: A major source of sugar, often genetically modified for herbicide resistance.
- Canola: Used to produce canola oil.
- Cotton: Genetically engineered cotton is used to produce cottonseed oil.
- Summer Squash: Some varieties are bioengineered.
- Papaya: Certain Hawaiian varieties are genetically modified.
Original Cheerios vs. Other Varieties
It is important to highlight that the 2014 change applied specifically to Original Cheerios in the yellow box. The company stated that for its other cereal varieties, such as Honey Nut or Multi Grain Cheerios, the presence of widespread bioengineered crops like corn and soy in their ingredients would make a similar removal process “difficult, if not impossible”. This means that while Original Cheerios are free of bioengineered ingredients, other Cheerios varieties may still contain them. Consumers looking for non-bioengineered options should always check the labeling, or seek out certified organic options, which by definition cannot contain GMOs.
Original Cheerios Ingredient Comparison (Pre-2014 vs. Post-2014)
| Ingredient | Pre-2014 Sourcing (Potential BE) | Post-2014 Sourcing (Non-BE) |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Grain Oats | Not bioengineered | Not bioengineered |
| Modified Corn Starch | Sourced from bioengineered corn | Sourced from non-bioengineered corn |
| Sugar | Sourced from sugar beets (often BE) or cane | Sourced specifically from pure cane sugar (non-BE) |
| Other vitamins/minerals | Remained unchanged | Remained unchanged |
| Salt | Remained unchanged | Remained unchanged |
Labeling and Transparency
As of January 1, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented a National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. This requires food manufacturers to disclose the presence of bioengineered ingredients. Products containing these ingredients must carry a specific label or QR code. This regulation provides consumers with more information, but certain processed ingredients, like highly refined oils or sugars, that do not contain detectable genetic material may not require disclosure.
General Mills’ earlier move, while not initially in response to the federal law, aligned with a growing industry trend toward greater transparency. The company’s announcement and new packaging made it one of the first major companies to publicly address consumer demand regarding GMOs in a widely sold product. For consumers navigating their food choices today, the new USDA labeling, along with voluntary non-GMO certifications, serves as a more direct source of information.
Conclusion
While the answer to What is the bioengineered food ingredient in Cheerios? was once "corn starch and sugar," the cereal has been sourced without bioengineered ingredients since 2014. The primary ingredient, oats, was never genetically modified. General Mills' decision, driven by consumer demand, led to a shift in sourcing to non-bioengineered corn starch and pure cane sugar. This change reflects the broader evolution of the food industry and increased consumer interest in product transparency. The USDA's new disclosure standard further ensures that consumers have access to information regarding bioengineered foods, empowering them to make more informed choices about their nutrition and diet.
For more information on the USDA's labeling standards, you can visit the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.
