“Cheerios Protein” May Not Be So Healthy After All

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI), a nonprofit which describes itself as the “organized voice of the American public on nutrition, food safety, health and other issues“, according to its website, as well as private law firms and individuals, filed the lawsuit this week. Furthermore, CSPI argues, “Most of that 4 grams is attributable to differences in serving sizes: Cheerios Protein has a bigger, 55 gram serving size, whereas Cheerios uses a 27 gram serving size”. “Original Cheerios does contain 3 grams of protein per serving – and it’s clearly a great cereal choice”. You’re getting a little more protein but it’s not worth the price of four teaspoons more sugar.

At the same time, original Cheerios has three grams of protein, the suit says.

In a statement, it said: “Cheerios Protein boasts on the front of its box that it has 11 grams of protein; four of those grams come from the milk, leaving seven grams from the cereal”.

“The Cheerios Protein product name is false and misleading because Cheerios Protein has virtually no more protein than Cheerios, but it implies otherwise“, the lawsuit stated.

Mills is saying that even accounting for the serving size difference, Cheerios Protein still has 18 percent more protein than Cheerios.

The key difference between the two products, they say, is that Cheerios Protein has 17 times as much sugar than the classic variety, according to the lawsuit, which was filed on Monday.

The plaintiffs want General Mills to stop “false and misleading marketing practices with regard to Cheerios Protein”, and seek damages.

‘With 17 times as much sugar than original Cheerios, Cheerios Protein is actually more conducive to diabetes, weight gain, heart disease and tooth decay’. By contrast, regular Cheerios has just 2 grams of sugar while Cheeriors Protein Oats and Honey has a whopping 16 grams.

“Consumers who buy Cheerios Protein probably think theyre doing themselves a favor, and that this more expensive product is essentially a protein-fortified version of original Cheerios, ” said CSPI litigation director Maia Kats.

Mike Siemienas, a General Mills spokesperson, said the company does not “normally respond to these publicity-seeking lawsuits” but added that “we reject their comparison”.

The lawsuit claims General Mills “falsely and misleadingly” markets Cheerios Protein to children and adults as a “high protein, healthful alternative” to Cheerios.