Breakfast cereals are full of sugar, says Which?
Investigation finds high levels of sugar, even in supposedly low-fat varieties
Many breakfast cereals contain high levels of sugar, a new investigation by Which? has found. Of 50 cereals analysed, 32 were high in sugar. The investigation also found that all cereals marketed at children, with the honourable exception of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, had a high sugar content.
Even cereals marketed as ‘low fat’, such as Kellogg’s Special K, contained plenty of sugar. And Kellogg’s All-Bran bran flakes had nearly as much sugar as Weetabix’s Chocolatey Weetos.
Salt levels
Meanwhile, Lidl’s Crownfield cornflakes have the highest salt content of any cereal. However, it’s one of just eight cereals that doesn’t meet Food Standards Agency salt targets.
Previous Which? research highlighted the high salt content in many breakfast cereals, so it appears progress is being made on this issue.
Traffic light labels
Which? is calling for ‘traffic light’ health labels on all cereals, as only 14 of the 50 they surveyed have them at present, and lower sugar and salt content. It also wants companies to develop and promote healthy cereals for children.
Do you think breakfast cereals are unhealthy? Do we need traffic light labels on all our food? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
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