Kellogg’s adds wheat to Rice Krispies as weather drives recipe shift

Kellogg’s has replaced whole rice with rice flour and added wheat to its Rice Krispies cereal, a formulation change that removes the product's gluten-free designation. The company announced the update in response to questions from consumers who detected differences in texture and taste.

Previously, the ingredient list included rice, sugar, salt, and barley malt extract. The new formula substitutes the whole grain with flour and introduces wheat. This addition means the cereal is no longer suitable for individuals with gluten allergies.

A Kellogg’s spokesperson attributed the switch to changing weather conditions. These environmental factors, the company stated, have impacted the quality and availability of the rice and grains used in production. The goal is to maintain consistent product quality despite these supply chain pressures.

“We’ve always looked for ways to evolve our products over the years, whether that’s making them better for you or tastier,” the spokesperson said. “This recent change helps us maintain consistent quality at a time when changing weather conditions are affecting the quality and availability of some of the rice and grains used in our cereals.”

Consumer reaction on major grocery retailer websites has been largely negative. One reviewer on the Morrisons site, using the username Yorkie31, gave the cereal one star. The review described the new texture as clumpy and chewy, noting that the cereal no longer crackles when milk is added. The reviewer called the change a “whole new product.”

Shoppers on Ocado and Tesco also criticized the update. A user named Tony on Ocado stated that children refused to eat the new version. An anonymous reviewer on Tesco’s site described the taste as awful since the allergen update, questioning the need to add wheat to a rice-based cereal. On social media, TikTok users posted videos describing the cereal as awful and worse than before.

The recipe change follows a similar update to Coco Pops, which Kellogg’s confirmed a week prior. For that product, the company added rice flour and corn flour while marketing the cereal as “even crispier.” Shoppers have also reported dissatisfaction with the Coco Pops changes, using words like “diabolical” to describe the new flavor.

Kellogg’s maintains that both updated recipes remain non-HFSS and contain no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. The company said the nutritional benefits, including fiber, Vitamin D, and iron, remain unchanged. The spokesperson added that there are no recipe changes to other Kellogg’s cereal products.