Kellogg's has altered the recipes for its popular Rice Krispies and Coco Pops cereals in the UK, replacing rice grains with corn flour and rice flour. A spokesperson for the company stated on Tuesday that the change is a response to “changing weather conditions” that have disrupted the supply of rice grains, leading to reduced harvests and increased prices in key Asian producing countries. These updated recipes have been assessed for quality, and customer feedback has been considered, according to Kellogg's.
The shift necessitates the addition of a “contains wheat gluten” warning on the packaging of the affected cereals. However, the company emphasized that the nutritional benefits, including fiber, Vitamin D, and iron, will remain the same, and the cereals will continue to meet UK food standards regarding fat, salt, and sugar levels. They will also continue to be free from artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.
Kellogg's North American business confirmed that Rice Krispies products in the US and Canada will continue to be made with real rice and will not see any recipe changes. The spokesperson explained that the recipe modification in the UK is intended to “maintain consistent quality at a time when changing weather conditions are affecting the quality and availability of some of the rice and grains used in our cereals.” The company acknowledged that alterations to well-loved products can be noticeable and assured that the changes were made with care and consideration.