Peanutjake
Wed, Aug-11-04, 18:19
Danish health authorities ban some Kellogg products, saying
they could harm children
CHRISTIAN WIENBERG
Associated Press
COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Danish health officials said Wednesday
they have banned several vitamin-enriched products of U.S.
breakfast cereal maker Kellogg, saying they could be harmful
if eaten regularly. The 18 products, which include enriched
versions of popular brands already on the Danish market like
Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Special K, were to be launched
in Denmark soon. "We've turned down applications for a number
of enriched products which will have toxic effects in the
doses Kellogg uses," said Paolo Drotsby of the Danish
Veterinary and Food Administration. Drotsby said that if eaten
regularly, the products could damage children's livers and
kidneys, as well as the fetuses of pregnant women. Kellogg
said it was puzzled by the rejection, as many of the products
are being sold already in several other European countries.
"We're extremely concerned and mystified, as we never have had
such problems with health authorities before in Kellogg's
history," said John Buckles, managing director for Kellogg in
the Nordic region. The 18 products include 12 types of cereal
brands and six types of snack or breakfast bars. Buckles said
the European enrichment recipes were slightly different from
the ones used in the United States, although Kellogg's
products are fortified there as well and have been since the
1930s. "Our next step is to work with Danish authorities and
see if we can come up with a solution. The important thing
here is for us to work in concert," Buckles said. Chris
Wermann, a spokesman for Kellogg Europe, added: "We will have
further discussions with Danish authorities about the
importance of vitamins in cereals." Meanwhile, Drotsby said
Kellogg could apply again if the company removes or reduces
the doses of the vitamins and minerals in question. The
rejection was delivered to Kellogg last month after a
government laboratory conducted a scientific examination of
the ingredient lists provided by the company, Drotsby said.
Kellogg Co., based in Battle Creek, Mich., operates in 160
countries. Its shares rose a penny to $41.11 in early
afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
they could harm children
CHRISTIAN WIENBERG
Associated Press
COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Danish health officials said Wednesday
they have banned several vitamin-enriched products of U.S.
breakfast cereal maker Kellogg, saying they could be harmful
if eaten regularly. The 18 products, which include enriched
versions of popular brands already on the Danish market like
Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Special K, were to be launched
in Denmark soon. "We've turned down applications for a number
of enriched products which will have toxic effects in the
doses Kellogg uses," said Paolo Drotsby of the Danish
Veterinary and Food Administration. Drotsby said that if eaten
regularly, the products could damage children's livers and
kidneys, as well as the fetuses of pregnant women. Kellogg
said it was puzzled by the rejection, as many of the products
are being sold already in several other European countries.
"We're extremely concerned and mystified, as we never have had
such problems with health authorities before in Kellogg's
history," said John Buckles, managing director for Kellogg in
the Nordic region. The 18 products include 12 types of cereal
brands and six types of snack or breakfast bars. Buckles said
the European enrichment recipes were slightly different from
the ones used in the United States, although Kellogg's
products are fortified there as well and have been since the
1930s. "Our next step is to work with Danish authorities and
see if we can come up with a solution. The important thing
here is for us to work in concert," Buckles said. Chris
Wermann, a spokesman for Kellogg Europe, added: "We will have
further discussions with Danish authorities about the
importance of vitamins in cereals." Meanwhile, Drotsby said
Kellogg could apply again if the company removes or reduces
the doses of the vitamins and minerals in question. The
rejection was delivered to Kellogg last month after a
government laboratory conducted a scientific examination of
the ingredient lists provided by the company, Drotsby said.
Kellogg Co., based in Battle Creek, Mich., operates in 160
countries. Its shares rose a penny to $41.11 in early
afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.