Have you had a bowl of Rice Krispies lately?
If you have, you might’ve noticed that the cereal isn’t the same as it once was.
Fans of the beloved breakfast have taken to the internet to complain about it tasting different, with some going as far as to say the cereal has been ‘ruined’.
And if you’ve also been wondering what’s going on, we finally have the answer.
Kellogg’s has confirmed the recipe has been changed, with rice flour being added to the mix.
Previously, the ingredients list featured rice, sugar, salt, barley malt extract, plus added vitamins and minerals, like Niacin, Iron, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12.
Now, the rice has been swapped for rice flour, and it also contains wheat, meaning it’s no longer suitable for anyone with a gluten allergy.
The cereal giant tells Metro this change has been made because of ‘changing weather conditions’ which have affected ‘the quality and availability’ of the rice and grains they use.
A Kellogg’s spokesperson explained: ‘We have updated the Rice Krispies recipe, which is now made using rice flour.
‘We’ve always looked for ways to evolve our products over the years, whether that’s making them better for you or tastier.
‘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.’
Unsurprisingly, people aren’t happy about this change.
In a recent review on the Morrisons website, Yorkie31 gave the cereal a one-star rating and said: ‘Not rice grains anymore, but extruded rice and cereal paste! It clumps in your mouth, is chewy, hard to swallow, leaves an awful aftertaste, and no longer crackles when you add milk.
‘It’s now a whole new product, and it’s rank!’
Similarly, on Ocado, Tony shared: ‘What have they done?! Used to be a favourite, but the new “improved” recipe is flat-out refused by kids. That’s ignoring the fact that they’ve decided to add wheat to RICE Krispies.’
And an anonymous reviewer on Tesco’s website claimed it’s ‘terrible’.
‘Terrible since the allergen update,’ they posted. ‘I’ve no idea why they needed to add wheat to these, but since doing so they taste awful. They have ruined a perfectly good, tasty cereal that my family has eaten daily for years. Makes no sense to me.’
Over on TikTok, @paulahldn agreed that they taste bad, saying: ‘Rice Krispies have changed; they are awful!’
While @glovesmoustachio thought the cereal had gotten ‘worse’.
And @fluffedupfarm asked: ‘Why do companies insist on destroying every good thing?’
This comes a week after Kellogg’s confirmed it had changed the Coco Pops recipe.
According to the box, the cereal is ‘now even crispier’ but has the ‘same great chocolatey taste’.
Shoppers aren’t convinced this is the case, though, slamming the new flavour as ‘diabolical’ and ‘disgusting’.
As for how Coco Pops have changed, Kellogg’s said they’d added rice flour and corn flour to the cereal.
Which cereal do you prefer?
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Rice KrispiesCheck
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Coco PopsCheck
Speaking about both recipe changes, a spokesperson for Kellogg’s added: ‘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.
‘Rice Krispies and Coco Pops will remain non-HFSS, containing no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners, and the nutritional benefits in each bowl, such as fibre, Vitamin D and iron, are staying the same.
‘There are no recipe changes to our other well-loved Kellogg’s cereal.’
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