Food & Beverage

Trix cereal is bringing back artificial colors because customers complained

Key Points
  • U.S. food producer General Mills will bring back original, artificially-colored Trix after customer complaints over the naturally flavored replacement
  • The firm started selling all-natural Trix in early 2016, which replaced synthetic colors with radishes, purple carrots and turmeric
  • The company pledged in 2015 to remove all artificial colors and flavorings from its products
General Mills Trix cereal.
Ramin Talaie | Bloomberg | Getty Images

General Mills, the U.S.-based maker of multi-colored kids' cereal Trix, said it will bring back the original, artificially-colored version after customers complained.

"Classic Trix," which is colored artificially, will sit on store shelves alongside the new, natural-flavor version, the company said.

General Mills introduced the natural-flavor version last year, replacing artificial colors and flavors with coloring made from radishes, purple carrots and turmeric.

But customers have complained, with one reportedly calling the new product "basically a salad," the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Another said she liked the way the artificial colors and high-fructose corn syrup look and taste, the report said.

General Mills Cereal: Trix fans! Finding your mornings are duller? We've got something special coming with a little color!

A General Mills spokesperson told CNBC that the new product will remain on the shelves as it "has its own fan base."