Children's Cereal Loaded With Sugar, Current Nutrition Labels Outdated

Children are consuming more sugar in cereals than what is reflected in current nutrition labels, according to the analysis of a nonprofit organization. The organization also said that current nutrition labels are outdated as they base the sugar content on a serving size smaller than what is actually eaten.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), children could actually be consuming five to nine pounds more of sugar from cereals contrary to the nutrition labels printed on the packaging of cereals. EWG analysis revealed that the serving size in current labels is one-fourth to one-half smaller than the average amount eaten by children.

Cereal makers asked to update nutrition labels on kids' cereals https://t.co/yA9fATvWhV

— Patrilie Hernandez (@patrilieh) June 10, 2016

FDA And Nutrition Labels

Consumer Affairs reported that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is of the opinion that parents can get accurate information of what their children are actually eating from updated nutrition labels. That is if the nutrition labels on cereal boxes actually contain its sugar content in a "real world" serving size for children.

The FDA announcement on changes to the nutrition facts labels last month said that "will be more realistic to reflect how much people typically eat at one time." Food manufacturers have been given up to July 26, 2018, to comply with the FDA's requirements. The FDA has reportedly ordered cereal makers to update the Nutrition Facts on their websites as soon as possible.

Still More Sugar In Cereals

According to EWG, the current labels have a serving size of 30 grams, an amount that was the average way back in 1977. However, the present serving size of cereals that is actually eaten comes up to 39 grams, based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Consumer Affairs said that the FDA's new serving size for cereals would be 40 grams. However EWG, using NHANES data, said that there would still be a disparity in sugars between the FDA standard and how much cereal children actually eat per serving.

Using the current FDA serving, sugar should account for an average of 9.5 grams. When the serving sizes for cereals are updated, the sugar should account for an average of 13.2 grams. Still, "real world" servings of cereal have 18.5 grams of sugar.

Are your children consuming cereals regularly? What do you think about cereals in light of its sugar content? Share your thoughts below.