12 Jun 2016

Kids' breakfasts still too sugary - Consumer

2:38 pm on 12 June 2016

A consumer group says the sugar content of breakfast cereals marketed towards children is still too high.

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Photo: 123rf

Consumer New Zealand has compared tests looking at the sugar and sodium content of 50 cereals with their test results three years ago.

The report says while overall sugar and sodium levels are down, half a dozen of the cereals contained even more sugar than they did three years ago.

It describes half the cereals as high in sugar, with Kellogg's Frosties containing three teaspoons of sugar in every 30 gram serving.

Consumer NZ chief executive Sue Chetwin said cereal makers still have work to do.

She said six other cereals also contained more sugar than in 2013, including Kellogg's Coco Pops Chex, Crispix Honey, and Home Brand Fruity Rings.

The survey recommends porridge or wheat biscuits as the best breakfast for children, being low in sugar and containing moderate amounts of sodium.

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