Report About Cereal Creates Online Discussion
In an unusual twist, The New York Times found itself under fire after a fact-check of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s comments about Froot Loops’ ingredients in the U.S. versus Canada. The article aimed to debunk Kennedy’s statement but instead seemed to inadvertently support his concerns.
Kennedy, who recently endorsed President-elect Donald Trump and accepted his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, has consistently raised alarms about artificial ingredients in American food products, vowing to reform what he sees as lax standards at the FDA.
The original NYT fact-check report questioned Kennedy’s claims that U.S. Froot Loops contain more artificial ingredients than their Canadian counterpart, yet admitted that the U.S. version includes synthetic dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), while the Canadian version uses natural colorings from sources like blueberries and carrots.
While Kennedy’s broader argument was about the differences in food safety standards and artificial ingredients in American products, the NYT analysis seemed to focus narrowly on ingredient counts, leading critics to question the publication’s intent.
Kennedy spokesperson Stefanie Spear clarified to the Washington Post that Kennedy’s point was about the presence of synthetic dyes and other additives in the American version—ingredients not used in the Canadian counterpart.
She added, “We can all unify behind the goal of making American food the healthiest and most nutritious in the world.” Yet, the NYT article insisted on an ingredient count comparison, glossing over the synthetic compounds in U.S. Froot Loops that are banned or limited in other countries due to health concerns.
This fact-check quickly attracted backlash on social media, with critics mocking the Times for what they saw as a misguided attempt to dismiss Kennedy’s claims. Jason Howerton, CEO of REACH digital, and Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk highlighted the irony, calling the fact-check misguided and underscoring the media’s shortcomings in objectively addressing health issues.
Brad Cohn’s viral comment summed up the sentiment humorously, writing, “‘As you see, the ingredient list is just completely identical, except the US product contains formaldehyde, cyanide, and nearly undetectable levels of saxitoxin.’”
The backlash culminated in The New York Times issuing a correction, admitting, “Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article incorrectly described Mr. Kennedy’s recent comments on Froot Loops. He was comparing the total number of ingredients in the U.S. and Canadian versions of the cereal, not the number of artificial ingredients.”
Kennedy’s appointment has already generated significant debate. Many medical professionals and Democrats have expressed concerns, arguing that his well-known vaccine skepticism and health industry critiques could undermine public health. Yet, Kennedy’s nomination taps into a growing public distrust of both big industry and government health agencies. His mission to “Make America Healthy Again,” as he puts it, has struck a chord with Americans who are increasingly wary of the role of artificial ingredients, preservatives, and synthetic dyes in their food.