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Denmark Bans Kellogg's Vitamin-Enriched Cereals

Posted by Dr. Mercola | August 25 2004 | 2,301 views

Health officials in Denmark recently banned the addition of vitamins and minerals to 18 varieties of breakfast foods and cereals produced by Kellogg Co., believing eating those products regularly could potentially ruin the health of children and pregnant women.

Kellogg had hoped to add iron, calcium, folic acid and vitamin B6 to some cereals and cereal bars as they do in other countries. However, Danish officials believe such toxic additives in these cereals, if eaten regularly, would harm the livers and kidneys of children as well as unborn fetuses in pregnant women.

In fact, a government laboratory delivered the ban after examining the ingredient lists provided by Kellogg. The company defended its position, arguing the four nutrients added 25 percent or less of an adult’s daily requirement, and the extra ingredients were clearly marked on products and fell within established international guidelines.

A Kellogg spokesperson pointed out the Danish are very protective of their diet that can be frugal or austere at best and that their government is working on initiatives to encourage citizens to consume extra vitamins and minerals in their diets.

The Guardian August 12, 2004


Dr. Mercola's Comments:
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The Danes had the right idea, but didn’t go far enough in my opinion. Whether they are vitamin-enriched or not, cereals are absolutely not a healthy option for a breakfast food or any other kind of meal. These highly processed grains rapidly break down to sugar, stimulating insulin production.

This is particularly important for mothers with newborns, because cereal is one of the first solid foods introduced to babies, and pediatricians typically encourage parents to start feeding cereal to their babies from between 4 and 6 months. However, a recent study found that cereals introduced in the diets of babies before the age of 4 months or after the age of 7 months increased the risk of insulin-dependent diabetes in the children.

Plus, relying on cereal to get your vitamins is simply not healthy. Instead, you should get your nutrients primarily from eating whole foods. If you read my book, Total Health Program, you’ll learn more about why eliminating grains from your diet is one of the healthiest things you can do.

Related Articles:

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Optimize Your Health by Reverting to Ancestral No-Grain Diet

Diet and Lifestyle More Important Than Medication in Preventing Heart Disease

Low Carbohydrate Diets

The Awful Truth About Eating Grains


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