In June of 2010, Kellogg’s recalled 28 million boxes of Corn Pops, Honey Smacks, Froot Loops and Apple Jacks after customers complained of the cereal having a bad smell and suffering various symptoms including nausea and diarrhea after eating some of the cereal.

Kellogg’s said the problem was an “off-taste and smell” that caused the nausea and diarrhea in some “sensitive” people. The company said testing found “slightly elevated levels” of a food packaging “substance” in the box liners. The company did not publicly identify the mystery substance.

However, researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) got in touch with Kellogg’s the next day and discovered the mystery substance to be methylnaphthalene, a petroleum-based chemical which had “leached” into the cereal from the package liner.

Methylnaphthalene is a component of crude oil and coal tar, and is a combustion byproduct of tobacco, wood, petroleum-based fuels and coal. It is produced in enormous quantities in the U.S., but health agencies know next to nothing about its safety, according to EWG findings.

Yet methylnaphthalene is FDA approved and commonly used by the food industry not only in cereal packaging, but also to coat cheese, raw fruits and vegetables. If you’ve ever wondered what that waxy stuff on your food is that you think you probably should wash or peel off—now you know. And yes, wash that apple very thoroughly, and peel that cucumber.

So far, there has been no testing by any federal agency or any published test results. Also, naphthalene and methylnaphthalene are structurally similar and share the same toxicity to lung cells. Naphthalene itself was banned years ago in some applications because of toxicities.

The Kellogg’s incident raises questions for American consumers that need answering:

What are the real dangers, if any, of methylnaphthalene, and in what quantities?
How did it get approved by the FDA for use on food when no safety data exists?
When is the FDA going to address its approvals system, so these things stop happening?

The plus side of this whole debacle is that American consumers have been reminded yet again to ask questions about the foods they are offered for purchase, and to avoid those that are dubious.
It serves everyone’s health and wellness to keep in mind that our government is less than perfect, and that means food safety is ultimately our own responsibility.

SOURCE: Environmental Working Group, “Kellogg’s Cereal Recall: Health Risks from Packaging?” July 12, 2010, http://www.ewg.org/health-risks-from-packaging

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