Annie's was acquired by General Mills for $820M in 2014. In September 2024, butter and nonfat milk were quietly removed and replaced with corn starch — marketed as Now Cheesier. Protein dropped 22%. A phthalates class action has been pending since 2021. General Mills ownership is not disclosed on the packaging.
PARENT VIOLATIONS · $8.5M IN FINES
FDA warning letter — Warning letter to General Mills: undeclared peanut allergen in Cheerios manufacturing cross-contamination; 21 CFR 117 CGMP violations (2022)
EU regulatory action — EU RASFF notification: Deoxynivalenol mycotoxin in Lucky Charms cereal above EU limits for processed grain products. Multiple EU countries reported consumer illnesses from Lucky Charms in 2022. EU limit is 500 μg/kg for processed cereal products; US FDA action level is 1000 μg/kg (twice as permissive). (2022)
EU regulatory action — EU RASFF notification: PFAS migration detected from food packaging of Annie's Organic branded products. EU stricter PFAS food contact material limits triggered notification. Ironic contradiction: Annie's Organic markets itself as clean/natural but packaging has PFAS contamination. (2021)
USDA recall — Faribault Foods, Inc.: Faribault Foods Inc. Recalls Canned Soup Product Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens — Reason: Misbranding, Unreported Allergens — Pounds recalled: 2,429 pounds — Class: Class I — Recall #020-2020 (2020)
FDA warning letter — Warning letter to General Mills: Listeria monocytogenes found in Gold Medal flour; potential contamination of ready-to-eat products; facility sanitation deficiencies (2016)
32 FDA Recall(s) on record
PARENT LOBBYING
$14.1M lobbied since 2020
Nutrition labelingGMOPFAS regulationorganic standardsFDA policyGMO standards
PRODUCT ADDITIVES (388 PRODUCTS TRACKED)
Shells & Vegan Cheddar Style
AnnattoXanthan GumGuar GumSunflower LecithinNatural Flavor
Annie'S, Chewy Granola Bars, Berry Berry, Berry Berry
AnnattoSunflower LecithinNatural Flavor
Organic Vegan Mac (Cheddar Flavor)
AnnattoSunflower LecithinNatural Flavor
Cheddar Flavor Organic Vegan Mac Pasta & Sauce, Cheddar
AnnattoSunflower LecithinNatural Flavor
Vegan cheesy rice
AnnattoSunflower LecithinNatural Flavor