General Mills lowers sugar in kid's cereal

[The Straight Story]

General Mills lowers sugar in kid's cereal

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A U.S. food advocacy group is applauding the announcement Wednesday that General Mills is planning to reduce sugar in the cereals it advertises to children.

"General Mills, which has included whole grains, is taking another important step in the right direction by pledging to cut the sugar in the cereals it advertises to children," Margo G. Wootan, nutrition policy director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington said in a statement.

"As sugary cereal is one of the top products marketed to children, we hope the company swiftly implements these changes and that Kellogg, Post Foods and other competitors quickly follow General Mills' lead.

Jeff Harmening, president of General Mills' Big G cereal said General Mills has been reducing sugar in cereals advertised to children, while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/12/09/General-Mills-lowers-sugar-in-kids-cereal/UPI-61971260395540/

[Speck Tater]

1. They did it to cut costs and then brag about doing for the health of the kids. I call BS. nt

[Uncle Joe]

6. That may be true, Speck Tater, but

I believe enlightened self-interest to be better than just self-interest.

They do seem to be adding calcium and vitamin D so that must cost them something.

[Romulox]

2. I love me some Honeycomb. It would still be good with 1/2 the sugar though. nt

[HopeHoops]

5. In the early 70's, while in elementary school, they sugar-coated Honeycombs.

It was disgusting. That resulted in one of the first bitch letters (of a shitload) that I wrote to a corporation. Some time later, I got back a form letter explaining that market research dictated the change and consumer response was almost 100% positive. I suspect they drafted the letter before making the change.

I didn't eat them again until about two years ago. They are still disgusting. Too much fucking sugar. Originally, they were similar to weird-shaped oat rings with a little bit of sugar. For some reason, that particular cereal seems to have escaped the change that others went through in the 80's and 90's. Remember "Sugar Smacks"? They became "Honey Smacks" and I forget what they call them now, but I don't think it involves a sugar word.

[Romulox]

9. I mix 1/2 Cheerios, 1/2 Honeycomb. Good stuff. nt

[HopeHoops]

18. I like about an 80% corn chex and 20% golden grahams mix.

I didn't capitalize either because my local family-owned grocery store carries store-brand equivalents of both. You can't tell the difference except for the fact that they are less than half the price. You PAY for all that fucking advertising!!!

[seeinfweggos]

16. sugar smacks

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/wafflewhiffer/924700200/&h=500&w=323&sz=166&tbnid=UKpGr1BGu8X8hM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=84&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsugar%2Bsmacks%2Bcereal&usg=__7gM6rNLk79uFJ-finrOmNB2--WY=&ei=FEMgS8PlMIuQtgeEnomhCg&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=4&ct=image&ved=0CBYQ9QEwAw

[HopeHoops]

3. Shit - I don't think I can eat cereal that's less than 97% sugar.

:WTF:

[Deja Q]

7. You owe me a new keyboard!

:spray:

[HopeHoops]

17. Sorry.

:hide:

The best cereal name ever was from Calvin and Hobbes - Chocolate Covered Sugar Bombs - (might have been "coated" instead of "covered")

[NYC_SKP]

4. I've got several cases of Trix and Lucky Charms, will sell at reasonable price.

$20/box, just a little higher than retail.

:evilgrin:

[The Straight Story]

10. You take coupons?

;)

[NYC_SKP]

11. In this economy, I don't even take cash money. Kruggerands or diamonds, baby!

:P

[walldude]

8. Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs!!!!

I love em' with chocolate milk... I tried em' with Coke but the bubbles all go right up your nose... -Calvin

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

12. It baffles me that nobody ever defictionalized THAT. -nt

[walldude]

14. Well I think with Coco Puffs and Count Chocula the chocolate frosted sugar

bombs market is cornered :rofl:

[CoffeeCat]

15. Have you ever tried Sprinkle Spangles???

I happened to see this cereal on store shelves a few years ago. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
The cereal was sugar-coated star pieces that were thickly coated in mini-colored sugar balls. It
was like Christmas cookies for breakfast!

[CoffeeCat]

13. This is what I do with my kids cereal...

If they want Coco Puffs, I pour a bowl with 3/4 Cheerios and 1/4 Coco Puffs--with the Coco Puffs on top. I've been doing this since
they were very little. They've always loved it and never wanted a full bowl of sugared cereal. If they
asked for Coco Puffs and I gave them a full bowl of it--I don't think they'd know what to do!

I know, I know--we could be eating steel-cut oats and other healthier stuff for breakfast. It is
what it is---and I'm doing my best.

[laughingliberal]

19. A positive change :) nt

[JerseygirlCT]

20. Please tell me they're not replacing it with artificial stuff...

Nearly bought some box of "lower sugar" cereal a while back, only to notice it contained Splenda, instead.

[Vinnie From Indy]

21. General Mills announced they are reducing the sugar and replacing it with

nicotine based sweetner just developed at their world headquarters. The first in the new line of cereals with low sugar is called Nicotine Nibblers.