A study released Tuesday by the Environmental Working Groups shows that three popular cereals have more sugar in a one-cup serving than a Hostess Twinkie. Another 44 brands have more sugar in a cup than three Chips Ahoy cookies.
Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, Pist Golden Crisp and General Mills Wheatuies Fuel are the three that have more sugar than a Twinkie. The 44 cereals having more sugar in a cup than three Chips Ahoy cookies include Honey Nut Cheerios, Apple Jacks and Cap’n Crunch. The study found that in nearly three-dozen brands, sugar makes up more than a third of the cereal by weight. This list included original and "marshmallow" Kellogg’s Froot Loops, and the original and "all berries" versions of Quaker Oats Cap’n Crunch.
The group’s report has been released at the same time voluntary guidelines are being considered by the federal government for food marketed to children. Obesity rates are high, and a federal inter-agency group wants sodium, fats and added sugars limited by 2016 in foods and drinks advertised to children 17 and under. These guidelines allow 13 grams of added sugar for 50 grams of cereal, yet two-thirds of today’s children’s cereals exceed that threshold, charges the Environmental Working Group.
The cereal industry has argued against the proposed guidelines. Food companies say the standards would be so strict that they would essentially ban food advertising to youth. The industry released its own proposed standard in July – 10 grams of sugar per listed serving size – beginning in 2013. Cereal makers also say that most of the cereals on the study group’s "10 worst" list are not marketed to children. The industry adopted its own marketing standards in 2006, stopping ads for products with more than 12 grams of sugar per serving for children under 12. Only Foot Loops Original and Apple Jacks still advertise sweeter cereals than the standard. Honey Smacks and Wheaties Fuel also exceed the limit, but these are not marketed to children.
Industry spokespersons saw even sugary cereals have nutritional value, because they contain vitamins and minerals.
Consumer advocates contend that cereals should be concerned with health rather than selling profitable brands full of sugar. The products are placed at eye-level in containers featuring colorful cartoon characters to lure children. The Environmental Working Group also contends that a high-sugar breakfst makes kids more easlily frustrated and less able to work independently at school.
In 2009, Congress directed the Federal Trade Commission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Agriculture Department to improve nutritional standards. The four agencies may present a report to Congress by the end of the year.
The Washington Post article covering this issue (see link below) notes, "Obesity rates have more than doubled for children ages 2 to 11 and more than tripled for teens ages 12 to 19 in the past three decades."
Summarized from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/some-childrens-cereals-packed-with-sugar-ewg-study-finds/2011/12/06/gIQAayYlaO_
Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, Pist Golden Crisp and General Mills Wheatuies Fuel are the three that have more sugar than a Twinkie. The 44 cereals having more sugar in a cup than three Chips Ahoy cookies include Honey Nut Cheerios, Apple Jacks and Cap’n Crunch. The study found that in nearly three-dozen brands, sugar makes up more than a third of the cereal by weight. This list included original and "marshmallow" Kellogg’s Froot Loops, and the original and "all berries" versions of Quaker Oats Cap’n Crunch.
The group’s report has been released at the same time voluntary guidelines are being considered by the federal government for food marketed to children. Obesity rates are high, and a federal inter-agency group wants sodium, fats and added sugars limited by 2016 in foods and drinks advertised to children 17 and under. These guidelines allow 13 grams of added sugar for 50 grams of cereal, yet two-thirds of today’s children’s cereals exceed that threshold, charges the Environmental Working Group.
The cereal industry has argued against the proposed guidelines. Food companies say the standards would be so strict that they would essentially ban food advertising to youth. The industry released its own proposed standard in July – 10 grams of sugar per listed serving size – beginning in 2013. Cereal makers also say that most of the cereals on the study group’s "10 worst" list are not marketed to children. The industry adopted its own marketing standards in 2006, stopping ads for products with more than 12 grams of sugar per serving for children under 12. Only Foot Loops Original and Apple Jacks still advertise sweeter cereals than the standard. Honey Smacks and Wheaties Fuel also exceed the limit, but these are not marketed to children.
Industry spokespersons saw even sugary cereals have nutritional value, because they contain vitamins and minerals.
Consumer advocates contend that cereals should be concerned with health rather than selling profitable brands full of sugar. The products are placed at eye-level in containers featuring colorful cartoon characters to lure children. The Environmental Working Group also contends that a high-sugar breakfst makes kids more easlily frustrated and less able to work independently at school.
In 2009, Congress directed the Federal Trade Commission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Agriculture Department to improve nutritional standards. The four agencies may present a report to Congress by the end of the year.
The Washington Post article covering this issue (see link below) notes, "Obesity rates have more than doubled for children ages 2 to 11 and more than tripled for teens ages 12 to 19 in the past three decades."
Summarized from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/some-childrens-cereals-packed-with-sugar-ewg-study-finds/2011/12/06/gIQAayYlaO_
No comments:
Post a Comment