Frosted Flakes (and similar American cereals) face restrictions or are effectively banned in countries like the EU, UK, and Japan, not due to sugar, but primarily because they contain the preservative BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), which some nations deem potentially harmful and have stricter limits or prohibitions on, even though the FDA considers it safe in small amounts. While some countries allow BHT in limited quantities or have different recipes, others, like Japan, ban it outright, leading to different product formulations or no sale at all, as seen with cereals like Lucky Charms.
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) – A synthetic antioxidant used to preserve freshness, BHT has been linked to potential health concerns, including endocrine disruption and possible carcinogenic effects in high doses. Some countries and brands have phased it out due to these concerns.
Frosted Flakes, under its Australian name of Frosties, received 2 stars out of 5 on the Australian Government's health star ratings.
BHT is a chemical that is used to preserve foods such as cereal so that they stay fresh longer. In fact, BHT can be found in a lot of Kellogg cereals, not just Frosted Flakes. Examples include Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Lucky Charms, Cheerios, Apple Jacks, and more.
Wheat Thins and cereals like Frosted Flakes are banned in the United Kingdom, Japan and parts of Europe because of a chemical called BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), which is used as a flavor enhancer. The foods we eat are tested every day in laboratories, like one 13News visited on the Purdue campus.
The protests come in the wake of a new California law known as the California School Food Safety Act that bans six potentially harmful dyes in foods served in California public schools. The ban includes all of the dyes in Froot Loops, plus Blue Dye No. 2 and Green Dye No. 3.
Frosted Flakes, as well as Rice Krispies and several other Kellogg brand cereals, contain a preservative called BHT.
When Consumer Reports nutrition experts evaluated 32 breakfast cereals, they recommended the following options that rated high for both nutrition and taste:
A final report reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that BHT exposure in animal feeding studies was associated with harm to the liver and kidneys, and in other studies linked to development of liver and lung tumors. Skin exposure was associated with skin irritation and harm to lung tissue.
At first glance the ingredients in Frosted Flakes in the U.S. and U.K. look nearly identical. The main difference is the addition of the preservative BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) in the U.S. version.
The healthiest cereals in Australia are typically low in sugar, high in fibre, and made from whole grains, with top contenders often including Uncle Toby's Shredded Wheat, Sanitarium Weet-Bix (especially Hi-Bran), Kellogg's All-Bran, and plain mueslis like Carman's Fruit-Free. Look for cereals with 4 or 5 Health Star Ratings, minimal added sugar (ideally under 10g per 100g), and plenty of fibre (over 8g per 100g), like Freedom Foods Active Balance options or plain rolled oats.
GMO-Free USA (also known as Toxin-Free USA) calls for a boycott of Kellogg's, accusing it of greenwashing and "healthwashing". The campaign group provides a list of examples showing how, from its view, Kellogg's is misleading consumers.
The No. #1 unhealthiest cereal according to dietitians is Honey Smacks. According to Routhenstein, “Honey Smacks is loaded with added sugars, containing 18 grams per serving, which accounts for 72% of the daily added sugar limit for women and 50% for men, based on the American Heart Association's recommended limits.
First, trisodium phosphate is a water-soluble salt that is used in a wide variety of food products. It is approved as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We use small amounts of trisodium phosphate in some of our cereals to help improve the texture, making every bite crunchy and delicious.
Did you know Frosted Flakes are banned in the UK, Japan, and several European countries? Why? It's because of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), a preservative that's considered potentially carcinogenic and restricted in those regions. This is just one example of why so many American cereals aren't available abroad.
Propyl gallate is a preservative used in vegetable oil, meat products and chewing gum, among other products. It may cause hormone disruption and has been linked to an increased risk of asthma, hyperactivity and even cancer.
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Typical symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, and fluid-filled blisters. Where is butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) found? Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) is an antioxidant food additive and is also found in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, and embalming fluid.
Weetabix is low in sugar and salt. And of course, eating breakfast cereals that are high in fibre helps with our digestion. A low fat food. Compared with less healthy breakfast options, Weetabix is a reassuringly low saturated fat food.
Yes, original Cheerios are generally considered a healthy choice as they're made from whole-grain oats, low in sugar, high in fiber (especially soluble fiber to help with cholesterol), and fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, making them a good part of a heart-healthy diet, though it's important to choose the plain version and watch out for sugary flavored varieties.
Look for kids' cereals that are lower in added sugar.
A typical sugary kids' cereal like Kellogg's Frosted Flakes has 12 grams of added sugar in just a 1-cup serving. That's equal to 3 teaspoons, or nearly 50% of the FDA's Daily Value (DV, a recommended maximum) of added sugar for young children, which is 25 grams.
Read Ingredient Labels
Always check packaged food labels for the presence of BHT, which is often listed as “butylated hydroxytoluene” or under its acronym. Butylated hydroxytoluene or BHT is often listed on products that need preservatives, such as cereals, snack foods, chips, and baked goods.