Final answer:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency that approves the use of food additives in breakfast cereal, ensuring all food additives meet rigorous safety standards before they are allowed for use.
Step-by-step explanation:
The agency responsible for approving the use of food additives in breakfast cereal is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA maintains a list of over 3000 ingredients in its database "Everything Added to Food in the United States," which includes common antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, tocopherols, and various artificial colorings like FD&C Blue No.1, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No.5, and FD&C Yellow No.6. These additives are subject to rigorous safety standards prior to their approval.
As a regulatory body, the FDA oversees the quality of substances sold as food and monitors claims made on food labels about both the composition and the health benefits of food products. It also works in conjunction with other federal agencies such as the Department of Agriculture for regulatory inspections and enforcement actions.