By Karim Hammam
Kellogg’s has removed rice from its Rice Krispies and Coco Pops cereals, replacing the grain with rice flour and a corn-flour blend respectively, the company confirmed on Wednesday. The reformulation comes as “changing weather conditions” have affected the quality and cost of rice and other grains, a spokesperson said.
Recipe changes due to weather conditions
Rice Krispies now use rice flour instead of whole rice, while Coco Pops contain a mixture of corn flour and rice flour. Kellogg’s stated the updated recipes were carefully assessed for taste, appearance and texture, and both cereals remain non-HFSS — not high in fat, salt or sugar — with no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners. Fibre, vitamin D and iron levels are unchanged.
Allergen impact for coeliac consumers
The switch introduces wheat gluten as an ingredient, meaning wheat must now be declared as an allergen on packaging and highlighted in bold. Previously the cereals carried a “may contain gluten” warning due to factory cross-contamination. The change makes the products unsuitable for people with wheat allergy or coeliac disease. Prominent labelling on packs alerts consumers to the new allergen status.
Sales decline and US reformulation plans
Trade magazine The Grocer reported that Rice Krispies sales are declining in both value and volume, with its Top Products Survey 2026 due next month. Separately, Kellogg’s in the US announced in February it would phase out artificial dyes from its cereals by the end of 2027. The company said 85 per cent of its US cereal sales already contain no FD&C colours and none have contained Red No.3 for years. Kellogg’s added it is working with the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA to remove FD&C colours from food.
