Less Sugar, More Sodium

Photo: Rebecca Ellis / Istock

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Earlier this month, Consumer Reports published a study that detailed how some kids' cereals are more than 50 percent sugar.

Cereal companies have gotten some flack from consumer groups about marketing sugar bombs disguised as cereal to children, and some producers have decided to offer reformulated versions of your kids' favorites with reduced sugar content.

But kids want flavor with those neon colors, right? According to the Wall Street Journal, cereal makers have had to up the salt content to improve flavor in the reduced-sugar cereals.

A report released by London-based Consumers International titled Cereal Offences (on the group's website the report is listed under More sugar than a doughnut, as salty as seawater) says: "manufacturers are likely to add salt to boost the flavor of the product, and may use salt to maintain customer appeal when sugar levels are reduced."

The report looks at cereals such as Kellogg's Frosties (or Frosted Flakes as we know it). 100 grams of Kellogg's Frosties Reduced Sugar cereal sold in various countries contains, on average, 25% sugar and 1.5% salt, which is more salt than is normally found in potato chips, according to the WSJ.

The article says Kellogg so far has reformulated its Froot Loops, Corn Pops, Rice Krispies, Cocoa Krispies and Apple Jacks cereals.

Susanne Norwitz, a Kellogg spokeswoman who reviewed the Consumers International Report, said in the article that she isn't aware of any instances of Kellogg adding salt to products in which it has lowered the sugar level.

Another company in the report, Nestlé, didn't dispute the report's findings on sugar and salt content in its products. But spokeswoman Hilary Green points out that cereal isn't the only thing to blame for issues such as childhood obesity. She says in the article, "I have three children. They eat Cini Minis [a sugary breakfast cereal], but they don't eat them every meal."

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