Some breakfast cereals marketed heavily to children are more than 50% sugar by weight, according to a new US study.

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A nutrition ratings report by consumer watchdog Consumer Reports has found that only four of the 27 cereals studied rated “very good”.


Two cereals, Post Golden Crisp and Kellogg‘s Honey Smacks were found to be more than 50% sugar and a further nine were found to be at least 40% sugar.


Of the top 27, only 23 rated “good” or “fair” for nutrition.


Consumer Reports said there is at least as much sugar in a serving of Kellogg’s Honey Smacks and ten other rated cereals as there is in a glazed doughnut from Dunkin’ Donuts, which contains 12 grams.

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The article, which appears in the November issue of Consumer Reports, also noted that several cereals sold in the US have more sugar and sodium than the same brands sold overseas.


Cheerios (General Mills) topped Consumer Reports’ ratings with three grams of dietary fibre per serving and only one gram of sugar. Kix and Honey Nut Cheerios (both General Mills) and Life (Quaker Oats) also were lower in sugars and had higher dietary fibre. All four rated “very good”.


“If you’re shopping for a kids’ cereal, try one of the ‘very good’ cereals in our ratings,” said Gayle Williams, deputy editor, Consumer Reports Health. “Be sure to read the product labels, and choose cereals that are high in fibre and low in sugar and sodium. Served with milk and fruit, these cereals can be part of a well-balanced, nutritious breakfast.”


In addition to high sugar content, Consumer Reports also cited sodium as an issue, with Kellogg’s Rice Krispies containing only four grams of sugar per serving but rated only “fair” because it is higher in sodium and has zero grams of dietary fire.


The lowest-rated cereals were Kellogg’s Honey Smacks, with 15 grams of sugar, and one gram of dietary fibre per serving; and Kellogg’s Corn Pops, with 12 grams of sugar and zero grams of dietary fibre per serving.