Kellogg's Nutrition - Get a Taste for the Healthy Life™

FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some of the most commonly asked diet and nutrition questions about Kellogg products:

Fats and Trans Fats

Food Allergies

Ingredients

Special Dietary Needs

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FATS AND TRANS FATS

Why do some Kellogg products contain trans fats?

Trans fats are used in some products because they can help optimize taste, appearance, texture and shelf-life. Trans fats are formed when liquid oils are made into solid fats like shortening and margarine during a process called hydrogenation. Small amounts of trans fats also occur naturally in beef, pork, butter and milk.

Trans fat is similar to saturated fat because it has also been found to raise low-density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol, which can increase your risk of coronary heart disease. Although our products contain varying amounts of trans fats, these types of fats are a relatively minor component of the overall diet.

It's important that you follow the Dietary Guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services Commission. These guidelines are supported by most health professionals and stress the importance of lowering the overall fat content in the diet to 20%-35% or less of total calories.

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How can a product have zero grams of trans fats and still use hydrogenated oils?

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines specify that percentages should be rounded up if over 0.5 grams or down if under. So if the amount of trans fats is less than half a gram (0.5 gram) per serving, FDA labeling guidelines state that the Nutrition Facts label must show the total amount of trans fats per serving as zero grams (0 grams). Likewise, if the amount of trans fats in a product is 0.75 grams per serving, the total amount would be shown as 1 gram trans fats per serving.

As a result, you may see a few products that list 0 grams trans fats on the label, while the ingredient list will include "shortening," "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil," or "hydrogenated vegetable oil." This means the food contains very small amounts (less than 0.5 g, or about 1/20 of a teaspoon) of trans fat per serving.

Sometimes hydrogenated oils are also used in the processing of foods. For example, hydrogenated oils sometimes are used as a coating on machines to prevent sticking, as you would use butter or margarine at home on a pie or cake pan to prevent sticking.

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FOOD ALLERGIES

What foods cause food allergies?

Many foods, including fruits, vegetables and meats, can cause an allergic reaction. Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions. These top eight allergen ingredients are required to be labeled on food products when present as an ingredient.

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What is Kellogg's position on food allergies?

At Kellogg Company, we understand and share the concerns expressed by consumers who are affected by food allergies. Kellogg's has been one of the leaders in the food industry in devising manufacturing processes to reduce the risk of allergens from contaminating allergen-free products. We have worked extensively with allergy organizations, such as The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network and research groups, to communicate allergen information and keep updated on allergen issues.

All Kellogg's USA, cereals and convenience food packages are labeled for potentially allergenic ingredients in a separate box directly below the ingredient list on the Nutrition Facts side panel of each of our products. Because product formulations can change at any time, we encourage persons with food allergies to check the ingredient statement on each package for the most current ingredient information.

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What does it mean if a product is labeled, "May contain traces of (peanut or tree nuts)"?

Products that are labeled "may contain" indicate that the product is produced on a line that shares equipment with another product that does contain peanuts or tree nuts. At Kellogg, equipment is thoroughly cleaned between processes, and we follow approved standardized manufacturing practices in all facilities.

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INGREDIENTS

What is the source of gelatin in your products?

Gelatin, which is used in some of our products to provide texture, is derived from either beef or pork. Products containing pork gelatin include Kellogg cereal products with marshmallow additives (i.e., Kellogg's® Marshmallow Froot Loops cereal and Kellogg's Smorz® cereal) and all varieties of Kellogg's® Rice Krispies Treats® Squares. Products containing beef gelatin include all varieties of Kellogg's® Frosted Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's® Frosted Mini-Wheats® cereal, Kellogg's® Rice Krispies Treats cereal, and the Kellogg's® Fruit-Flavored Snacks that contain gelatin.

The information provided here is intended to act as a general guide only. We ask that you always check the Nutrition Facts on the side panel of each of our packages to determine if the product contains any ingredient(s) that you want to avoid.

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Which of your products is gluten- or wheat-free?

At this time, we do not offer products suitable for consumers on a gluten- or wheat-free diet. All of our products are produced in facilities that also manufacture wheat-containing products. We cannot guarantee that any products are 100% gluten- or wheat-free.

Kellogg's® Eggo™ Syrup and Kellogg's™ Fruit Flavored Snacks are formulated gluten and wheat-free and may be acceptable for consumers on restricted diets. However, these products are produced in facilities that also manufacture other products that contain wheat. Consumers have varying sensitivities to gluten, and although we follow approved standardized manufacturing practices, some consumers are so sensitive that even wheat dust that may be in the product can result in a reaction. Therefore, we do not have any products that are gluten-free.

Kellogg's® Corn Pops and Kellogg's® Rice Krispies might be suitable, depending on gluten sensitivity. Corn Pops have a very small amount of wheat starch added, and Rice Krispies have a small amount of malt flavoring, made from barley. Check with your personal physician to determine if these products are suitable for you.

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Why do some Kellogg products contain salt?

We are aware that many consumers either need or want special dietary foods. We market a wide selection of products to give you a variety of choices to meet your taste preferences and nutritional needs.

Salt is added to some of our products to enhance flavor and texture. The amount of salt used is also based upon consumer testing and preferences.

Health experts currently recommend that people eat less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. This is about 1 teaspoon of salt. However, we do know that some individuals must limit their consumption of sodium. To accommodate those special needs, we manufacture products that may be suitable as part of a low-sodium diet.

According to Food and Drug Administration food labeling guidelines, the following products, per serving, are low-sodium (140 milligrams or less of sodium per serving):

In addition, many Kellogg cereals are low in sodium. We strive to provide you with wholesome, high-quality products. To determine if a specific product fits your dietary needs, please visit www.kelloggs.com or www.keebler.com to find the most up-to-date product ingredient and nutrition information.

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Why is there sugar in your cereals with the "Heart Healthy" claim?

Kellogg is aware of the importance of controlling your diet to lower the risk of heart disease, and we are committed to providing consumers of all ages with wholesome, nutritious products that fit into a heart-healthy lifestyle.

According to Food and Drug Administration regulations, a food product may use the claim "healthy" if it is low in fat and saturated fat, has less than 480 milligrams of sodium and less than 60 milligrams of cholesterol in a serving, while having 10% or more of the Daily Value of certain other nutrients. There is no criterion for the amount of sugar the product may contain.

Our Kellogg's® Smart Start® Heart Healthy cereals were specially formulated to deliver a good source of soluble fiber from oats to help lower cholesterol. A good source of potassium and low in sodium to help lower blood pressure, they also supply 25% of the Daily Value for folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12, which research studies have shown can help lower the homocysteine levels in the blood - another risk factor for heart disease.

There are 16 grams of sugar per serving in Kellogg's Smart Start® Heart Healthy cereal, which supplies 64 calories. Sugar is a good source of immediate energy. Currently there is no scientific evidence to link sugar consumption to any chronic disease, like diabetes or heart disease.

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SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS

Do you have products for persons with diabetes?

Kellogg understands that a person with diabetes has special dietary needs. Several years ago, we joined with the American Diabetes Association to help educate people on the early detection and treatment of diabetes. As part of this effort, Kellogg products now list Dietary Exchange information on the Nutrition Facts side panel. The dietary exchanges are based on the Exchange Lists for Meal Planning, ©2003 by The American Diabetes Association, Inc. and The American Dietetic Association.

Kellogg offers a wide variety of products, all of which can contribute to a balanced diet. Moderation and balance remain the key to making appropriate food choices. We believe that the Nutrition Facts on our packages offer the information you need to choose products that meet your personal health and nutritional requirements.

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How can I tell if a product is Kosher?

If the product you are interested in is Kosher-certified, its packaging will reflect its certification status and category. However, Kosher certifications may change over time, so the best way to determine a product's Kosher status is to look at the package or visit www.kelloggs.com and view the Nutrition information for the product. We do not offer Kosher lists of our products, as these may become outdated and inaccurate over time. However, product packages always will reflect the correct information.

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