Why is Cinnamon Toast Crunch classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The cereal is made from refined grains, added sugars, flavorings, and several food‑grade additives, including BHT (E321) for preservation, caramel color (E150c) for appearance, trisodium phosphate (E339iii) as an acidity regulator, and soy lecithin (E322) as an emulsifier.

How does the sugar and salt content in this product affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 29.3 g of sugar per 100 g, the cereal can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes and is not suitable for a diabetic diet, while its very low salt (0.09 g) poses minimal concern for hypertension, though the overall high carbohydrate load may still impact blood pressure management.

Based on the ingredients, is this product suitable for strict diets like vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free?

The formula contains no animal‑derived ingredients, so it is vegan, but it includes whole‑grain wheat, making it unsuitable for gluten‑free diets; the high carb and sugar content disqualifies it from keto, and halal certification is not indicated.

General Mills • 12oz

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a whole-grain wheat breakfast cereal, placed in the Cereals and potatoes food group. It carries a Nutri-Score of C and is classified as a NOVA 4 ultra-processed product, reflecting its high added-sugar level, modest fiber, and low protein. While the cereal provides 9.8 g of fat, 0.09 g of salt and 29.3 g of sugar per 100 g, it also contains added vitamins and minerals, but its high sugar and low protein make it less nutritionally balanced.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

low

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal415 kcal

Added Sugars29.3 g

Vitamin C24.4 mg

Vitamin B60.2 mg

Iron8.8 mg

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average breakfast cereal (14.1 g sugar, 9 g fat, 1.8 g salt, 389 kcal, 8.3 g fiber and 10.2 g protein per 100 g), Cinnamon Toast Crunch contains about double the sugar (29.3 g), slightly more fat (9.8 g), far less salt (0.09 g), higher calories (415 kcal), less fiber and roughly half the protein.

Ingredients

whole grain wheat, sugar, rice flour, canola oil, fructose, maltodextrin, dextrose, salt, cinnamon, trisodium phosphate, soy lecithin, caramel color, bht added to preserve freshness, vitamins and minerals: calcium carbonate, iron and zinc (mineral nutrients), vitamin c (sodium ascorbate), a b vitamin (niacinamide), vitamin b6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin b2 (riboflavin), vitamin b1 (thiamin mononitrate), vitamin a (palmitate), a b vitamin (folic acid), vitamin b12, vitamin d3,

84%

35%

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