Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, MI, announced June 14 that it is undertaking two major initiatives that further strengthen its commitment to meeting consumers' health and nutrition needs by adjusting what and how the company markets to children and through new front-of-pack nutrition labeling.
One major phase will change the look of its front-panel packaging.
Starting later this year, consumers will see Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) on the front of ready-to-eat cereal packages in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In the U.S., new packaging will feature an easy-to-use labeling system on the top, right-hand corner of cereal boxes, identifying percentages of calories, total fat, sodium and grams of sugar per serving. As such, the front-of-pack labels will also identify the nutrients American consumers need to consume more of including fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. The percentages are based on a typical 2,000 calorie daily diet.
The front-of-pack summary gives a quick snapshot of how a food fits into a consumer's daily diet and complements the nutrition label found on the side panel. Kellogg first pioneered the use of GDAs in Europe and Australia, where the labeling approach has been well-received and adopted by the industry. Kellogg is also encouraging other food and beverage companies to join the initiative in the U.S., and is in ongoing dialogue with industry on uniformity in labeling.
Shifting the Mix of Products Marketed to Children Under 12
Kellogg will change what and how it markets to children under 12 using nutrition criteria. The company will use its new internal standard, the Kellogg Global Nutrient Criteria (Nutrient Criteria), to determine which products will be marketed to children in all media. Kellogg will continue its practice of not advertising to children under 6.
The Nutrient Criteria set an upper threshold per serving of 200 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat, labeled 0 grams of trans fat, 230 milligrams of sodium and labeled 12 grams of sugar.
Kellogg will apply the Nutrient Criteria to all of its products marketed to children under age 12 around the world. Those products that don't meet the Criteria—almost 50 percent of its products currently marketed to children worldwide—will either be reformulated to meet the Nutrient Criteria or they will no longer be marketed to children under 12 by the end of 2008.
Implementation of Kellogg commitments will begin immediately wherever possible. Subject to existing contracts, the company also will not be using licensed characters as food forms, on front of pack or in advertisements unless that food meets the Nutrient Criteria. Full implementation will be completed by the end of 2008.
General Mills has announced a similar initiative earlier this year (see GM to promote kids' health issues on its packaging, published February 27th, 2007).
One major phase will change the look of its front-panel packaging.
Starting later this year, consumers will see Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) on the front of ready-to-eat cereal packages in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In the U.S., new packaging will feature an easy-to-use labeling system on the top, right-hand corner of cereal boxes, identifying percentages of calories, total fat, sodium and grams of sugar per serving. As such, the front-of-pack labels will also identify the nutrients American consumers need to consume more of including fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. The percentages are based on a typical 2,000 calorie daily diet.
The front-of-pack summary gives a quick snapshot of how a food fits into a consumer's daily diet and complements the nutrition label found on the side panel. Kellogg first pioneered the use of GDAs in Europe and Australia, where the labeling approach has been well-received and adopted by the industry. Kellogg is also encouraging other food and beverage companies to join the initiative in the U.S., and is in ongoing dialogue with industry on uniformity in labeling.
Shifting the Mix of Products Marketed to Children Under 12
Kellogg will change what and how it markets to children under 12 using nutrition criteria. The company will use its new internal standard, the Kellogg Global Nutrient Criteria (Nutrient Criteria), to determine which products will be marketed to children in all media. Kellogg will continue its practice of not advertising to children under 6.
The Nutrient Criteria set an upper threshold per serving of 200 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat, labeled 0 grams of trans fat, 230 milligrams of sodium and labeled 12 grams of sugar.
Kellogg will apply the Nutrient Criteria to all of its products marketed to children under age 12 around the world. Those products that don't meet the Criteria—almost 50 percent of its products currently marketed to children worldwide—will either be reformulated to meet the Nutrient Criteria or they will no longer be marketed to children under 12 by the end of 2008.
Implementation of Kellogg commitments will begin immediately wherever possible. Subject to existing contracts, the company also will not be using licensed characters as food forms, on front of pack or in advertisements unless that food meets the Nutrient Criteria. Full implementation will be completed by the end of 2008.
General Mills has announced a similar initiative earlier this year (see GM to promote kids' health issues on its packaging, published February 27th, 2007).
