Why is Multigrain Cheerios classified as ultra-processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The cereal undergoes extensive processing that includes extrusion, the addition of refined sugars, invert sugar syrup, caramelised sugar syrup, colourants (E160a - carotene, E160b - annatto) and an antioxidant (E306 - tocopherols), all of which place it in NOVA group 4, the highest level of industrial processing.

How does the sugar content of Multigrain Cheerios affect a diabetic diet?

At 17.7 g of sugar per 100 g, the cereal provides a rapid source of glucose that can cause blood-sugar spikes, so people with diabetes should limit portion size or choose a lower-sugar option to maintain stable glycaemic control.

Is Multigrain Cheerios suitable for vegan, keto, halal or gluten-free diets?

The product is vegetarian and contains no animal-derived ingredients, but it is not vegan because some sugars may be processed with bone char and it includes gluten-containing wheat and barley, making it unsuitable for gluten-free or strict keto diets; halal status cannot be confirmed without information on the sugar refining process.

Nestlé • 390g

Multigrain Cheerios

Cereals And Potatoes

Product Insights

Multigrain Cheerios is a plant-based breakfast cereal (PNNS group: Breakfast cereals) marketed as vegetarian and made from whole-grain oat, wheat and barley flours. It carries a Nutri-Score of C and is classified in NOVA group 4, reflecting its ultra-processed nature with added sugars, invert sugar syrup, caramelised sugar syrup, colourants (E160a, E160b) and antioxidant (E306), while also providing 9.7 g of dietary fibre per 100 g. The cereal is relatively high in sugar (17.7 g per 100 g) and moderate in salt (0.78 g per 100 g), which offset its whole-grain content and vitamin fortification.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

low

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal380 kcal

Fat4.8 g

Saturated Fat1 g

Carbohydrates69.1 g

Sugars17.7 g

Comparative Analysis

With 17.7 g of sugar per 100 g, Multigrain Cheerios exceeds the average breakfast cereal sugar level of 14.1 g, while its 0.78 g of salt is well below the category average of 1.77 g, resulting in a calorie content (~382 kcal) comparable to the typical 389 kcal.

Ingredients

Whole grain OAT flour (31.9%), whole grain WHEAT flour (29.6%), whole grain BARLEY flour (18.2%), sugar, WHEAT flour (contains calcium carbonate, vitamin B3, iron, vitamin B1), invert sugar syrup, calcium carbonate, sunflower oil, molasses, salt, caramelised sugar syrup, colours: carotene, annatto norbixin; antioxidant: tocopherols, iron, vitamins C, B3, B5, B9, D, B6, B2.

84%

35%

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