Rice Krispies no longer contain rice. Here’s why

Kellog’s has taken rice out of family favourite cereals Rice Krispies and Coco Pops after the ingredient’s quality and cost has been negatively impacted by “changing weather conditions”, according to the company.

Rice Krispies have been reinvented to use rice flour instead of rice, and Coco Pops now contains a mixture of corn flour and rice flour instead of pure rice.

One of the biggest changes for consumers is that the new recipes mean the cereals contain wheat gluten, making them unsuitable for people with a wheat allergy or coeliac disease.

“We have updated the Rice Krispies and Coco Pops recipes, which are now made using corn flour and rice flour,” a spokesperson for Kellog’s explained.

“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.

“We appreciate that even small changes to a much-loved product can feel noticeable and that’s why we have approached this with a lot of care and consideration.

“The updated recipes have been carefully assessed for taste, appearance and texture, and we are continuing to listen closely to consumer feedback.”

Kellogg’s said both cereals remained “non-HFSS” – or not high in fat, salt or sugar – contained no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners and maintained the same levels of fibre, Vitamin D and iron.

Previously, Rice Krispies and Coco Pops were labelled “may contain gluten” because they were made in a factory where other cereals containing gluten were also handled.

Following the reformulation, wheat gluten is now an ingredient, meaning wheat must be declared as an allergen on pack and highlighted in bold in the ingredients list.

Both cereals now carry prominent labelling on their packs alerting consumers to the change in allergen.

The Grocer trade magazine said the reformulation comes as sales of Rice Krispies are in decline, with both value and volume down, its Top Products Survey 2026 would show next month.

It comes after Kellog’s in the US announced they would stop using artificial dyes in its breakfast cereals by the end of 2027, according to an announcement from the company in February.

The maker of US favourites Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies said they are evolving their portfolio of cereals “to provide consumers with more of what they want and need – such as whole grains and fiber and less of what they don’t”.

’Today, the vast majority – 85 percent – of our cereal sales contain no FD&C colours and none of our products have contained Red No.3 for years,” Kellogg’s said in their statement.

“We are committed to continue working with HHS and FDA to identify effective solutions to remove FD&C colours from food.”