Parents calling on Kellogg’s to not add peanut flour to some of its products

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) – Parents across the country are calling on Kellogg’s to reconsider an ingredient change. The company started adding peanut flour to some of its crackers in April. But some parents say it’s not safe for their children with food allergies.

Scanning ingredients in food labels on a daily basis is a way of life for 10-year-old Lucas Wirth.

“When I go to convenience stores I always have to check because sometimes they can change the ingredients with peanuts,” said Lucas Wirth of Lockport.

That’s exactly what’s happening to some Kellogg’s snacks Lucas used to eat. The company announced it will be adding peanut flour to some of its products starting in April. The Keebler club & cheddar flavor sandwich crackers are among 8 different varieties of Kellogg brand crackers that will be affected.

“Now that they’re coming out with that I can’t eat that anymore,” said Wirth.

Lucas has a severe peanut and tree nut allergy- and he’s not alone. So far over 24 thousand people across the country have signed a change.org petition, calling on Kellogg’s to ditch the peanut flour.

“Every school has kids with peanut allergies and nut allergies and milk and eggs and all this other stuff so why would you deliberately add something that you know is a problem now,” said Lockport parent Kari Wirth.

Although Kellogg’s says the change will be clearly reflected on the label, Lucas’s mom Kari says some parents who are unaware may accidentally continue to give the products to their kids because they used to be safe before.

“If parents or patients are not reading labels they’re potentially ingesting a very dangerous food allergen that can cause severe allergic type reactions and even potential deaths,” said Dr. Jeffrey Rockoff, Allergist Clinical Immunologist.

In a statement, a Kellogg’s spokesperson says the company is working on ways to make more sandwich crackers without peanut ingredients. and the company plans to make Austin grilled cheese sandwich crackers without peanut products that will be available in stores by September.

The Company’s VP of Marketing did respond to concerned parents like Kari in a letter. The company says it added the ingredient due to changes in their manufacturing process.The following Kellogg’s products will be affected: