Kellogg to raise nutrition of kids' food

[CMF Newsman]

WASHINGTON - Kellogg Co., the world's largest cereal maker, has agreed to raise the nutritional value of cereals and snacks it markets to children.

The Battle Creek, Mich., company avoided a lawsuit threatened by parents and nutrition advocacy groups worried about increasing child obesity. Kellogg intends to formally announce its decision Thursday.

The company said it won't promote foods in TV, radio, print or Web site ads that reach audiences at least half of whom are under age 12 unless a single serving of the product meets these standards:

• No more than 200 calories.
  
• No trans fat and no more than 2 grams of saturated fat.
  
• No more than 230 milligrams of sodium, except for Eggo frozen waffles.
  
• No more than 12 grams of sugar, not counting sugar from fruit, dairy and vegetables.

story

[daworm]

The Battle Creek, Mich., company avoided a lawsuit threatened by parents and nutrition advocacy groups worried about increasing child obesity.

Kellogg's cereals haven't changed in thirty years. Thirty years ago, there wasn't such a problem with childhood obesity.

So why is it all of a sudden Kellogg's fault?

I think those parent groups would have a much more valid suit against Comcast and Nintendo.

And an even better lawsuit against themselves for letting their kids get fat.

[xterragirl]

Thank you Worm. I thought the same thing when I was reading the article on Yahoo this morning.

How ridiculous that it's a cereal's fault people's children are overweight. This business that it's everyone else's fault but someone's own is beyond stupid.

[Laura Rice]

My son has been eating Kellogg's cereals 2-3 times a day since he was able to get a spoon in his mouth. Breakfast and afternoon snacks still consist of a bowl of cereal because it is the easiest thing to fix. He is going to be 16 next month and is 5'6" at 125. He has always been the most active kid in his grade and still is. He does play guitar hero video games and watchs the TV but he never spends an entire day ever inside. He skateboards, swims, rock climbs and does help people with their yard and house projects. If they are active they won't get fat eating cereal or intaking too many calories in a day.

[Tookie]

I don't think Kellogg's should have to change their cereals. If the parents don't want their kids to eat Kellogg's cereals, they shouldn't buy them and have enough control over their little apes to tell them no, they aren't buying the crap. There are other cereals and other foods targeted to the health food craze that they can buy for their offspring.

But, since Captain Crunch is not involved, I really don't care.

[daworm]

General Mills will be next, just wait. Then comes Post.

[stray]

It is entirely the responsibility of the parents for the nutritional health of their children. Period.

God damn...I get sick to death of EVERYTHING being legislated.

[ScarlettP]

Are we sure this isn't like the time they just took the word "Sugar" out of the names of the cereal? You know, things like Sugar Smacks and Sugar Corn Pops and Sugar Frosted Flakes... ony lost the word in the titles, not inside the box.