Nov 4, 2009 7:06 pm US/Central
Kellogg's Pulls Immunity Claims From Cereal Boxes
(WCCO)
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Kellogg's Cocoa Krispies claims it will help protect your child's immunity but health experts say sugar content is really what to be aware of.
CBS
The flu has changed the way people shop at the White Bear Lake Kowalski's. Lindsey Plasch even uses extra care when putting her baby Olivia into the shopping cart.
"When I bring her in here, I always wipe down the cart with sanitizing wipes," Plasch said. "And when we leave, I always make sure we wash our hands right away."
Plasch's fear of H1N1 is part of the reason she would seriously consider buying Kellogg's Cocoa Krispies. Both Rice Krispies and Cocoa Krispies feature a large yellow banner across the bottom of the box. It reads, "Now helps support your child's immunity."
"I probably would have (bought it) just 'cause it says it supports your child's immunity, and I wouldn't have looked at the ingredients," Plasch said.
When she took a closer look at the nutrition facts, she said, "Sugar is the second ingredient."
The biggest effect on the immune system can come right after eating a high-sugar or a
high-fat food, said Sue Moores, a dietitian and Kowalski's consultant.
"A fair amount of sugar actually depresses the immune system,
especially right after you eat it," Moores said.
Kellogg's announced Wednesday that it's actually going to stop putting these immunity banners on their products. They say they're making the change because of the public attention given to the H1N1 virus and protecting against it.
However, consumers will likely see the immunity packaging in stores for at least the next month as Kellogg's works to get the boxes off the shelves.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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