Why is Corn Flakes classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The cereal is made from milled corn that is extruded, refined and fortified with added sugars, malt flavor, BHT in the packaging, and a blend of vitamins and minerals, all of which are characteristic of ultra‑processed foods.

How does the sugar and salt content in Corn Flakes affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With 8.7 g of sugars per 100 g, the cereal can raise blood glucose levels, so diabetic individuals should limit portions, while the 1.9 g of salt per 100 g exceeds the typical cereal average and may contribute to higher blood pressure, making it less suitable for hypertensive diets.

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

Corn Flakes are gluten‑free but not keto-friendly because of their high carbohydrate content; the presence of BHT and some vitamins of uncertain origin prevents a vegan or halal certification, so it does not meet the strict criteria of those diets.

Kellogg's • 23 g

Corn Flakes

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Corn Flakes, a breakfast cereal belonging to the Cereals and potatoes (breakfast cereals) family, is a 23 g serving of milled corn flakes enriched with vitamins and minerals. It delivers 8 g of protein and 4 g of fiber per 100 g, but contains virtually no fat, 8.7 g of sugars and 1.9 g of salt, giving it a Nutri‑Score of D and placing it in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category. The product’s Eco‑Score is C, reflecting modest environmental performance, while the presence of BHT and added sugars highlights areas of nutritional concern.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

low

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

moderate

Salt

high

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Added Sugars1 g

Fruits & Vegetables0 %

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average breakfast cereal, Corn Flakes has almost no fat, lower sugar (8.7 g vs 14.1 g per 100 g), but slightly more salt (1.9 g vs 1.8 g) and considerably higher carbohydrate content (82.6 g vs 63.9 g).

Ingredients

MILLED CORN, SUGAR, MALT FLAVOR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SALT. BHT ADDED TO PACKAGING FOR FRESHNESS. VITAMINS AND MINERALS: IRON, VITAMIN C (SODIUM ASCORBATE, ASCORBIC ACID), NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE),VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN D, VITAMIN B12.

84%

35%

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