Cheerios Aren't A Drug - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Family Ties Forever! · 05-13-2009, 11:00 AM

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Cheerios Aren't A Drug, FDA Says
Cereal Makes Specific Claims About Cholesterol

Matthew Perrone, AP Business Writer

Posted: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Updated: 9:10 am CDT May 13, 2009

Washington -- Federal regulators have scolded the maker of Cheerios, saying the company made inappropriate claims about the popular cereal's ability to lower cholesterol and treat heart disease.

The Food and Drug Administration said in a warning letter to General Mills that language on the Cheerios box suggests the cereal is designed to prevent or treat heart disease by lowering cholesterol. Regulators said that only FDA-approved drugs are allowed to make such claims.

Video: FDA Warns Cereal About Claims

Among other claims, the labeling states: "you can lower your cholesterol 4 percent in six weeks."

The FDA allows companies that market whole grain foods like Cheerios to highlight their ability to reduce the risk of heart disease. While the box carries that claim in the lower left hand corner, the language about cholesterol is much larger and appears separately -- something the FDA does not allow.

Regulators also object to the company's claim that Cheerios can lower cholesterol by 4 percent, since companies are not allowed to quantify the benefit of their foods.

Additionally, companies that make claims about their whole grain foods are supposed to mention that fruits and vegetables are also part of a fiber-rich diet. General Mills' labeling does not include that information.

"Therefore, your claim does not convey that all these factors together reduce the risk of heart disease and does not enable the public to understand the significance of the claim in the context of total daily diet," states the FDA.

The warning letter, dated May 5, was posted to FDA's Web site Tuesday.

General Mills said the health claims on Cheerios have been approved for 12 years and the FDA's complaints deal with how the language appears on the box, not the cereal itself.

"The science is not in question," said spokesman Tom Forsythe in a statement. "The clinical study supporting Cheerios' cholesterol-lowering benefit is very strong."

Cheerios is the best-selling cereal brand in the U.S., with sales of $1.4 billion last year, according to General Mills.

The Minneapolis-based company said it would work with the FDA to address FDA's complaints. The warning letter asks the company to correct the problems within 15 business days of receipt.

The FDA regularly issues warning letters to companies that do not follow regulations for manufacturing and marketing. The letters are not legally binding, but the agency can take companies to court if they are ignored.

In recent years the FDA has begun cracking down on manufacturers who overstate the benefits of their products, amid increased demand for healthy foods.

Shares of General Mills Inc. rose 40 cents to $53.31 in morning trading.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Nighthawk76 · 05-13-2009, 12:40 PM

I eat Cheerios. Though not because I thought they were healty for me. I just like them. Especially the banana and nut flavor.

robyrob · 05-13-2009, 12:49 PM

they just aren't doing it right - you have to chop them up real fine and either snort or smoke them if you want to get high off of Cheerios.

(and no I did not bother reading that long article)

MrCleveland · 05-13-2009, 01:27 PM

The box also says "Get the hell out, Steve"!

ekkostar · 05-13-2009, 03:40 PM

Who ever thought they were?

Marvo301 · 05-13-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

The box also says "Get the hell out, Steve"!

I love that commercial!!

Yooch · 05-13-2009, 05:24 PM

I several different breakfast cereals, including Cheerios, which is a healthy food. The FDA's concern was that some people might think that Cheerios are magic bullets in lowering cholesterol, and that they wouldn't have to do anything else to lower cholesterol. Whatever claims for or against, I will continue to eat them because I like them.

Doodyville10019 · 05-13-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

they just aren't doing it right - you have to chop them up real fine and either snort or smoke them if you want to get high off of Cheerios.

(and no I did not bother reading that long article)

...or if you want a real "natural high" just eat them whole right out of the box.

catlover79 · 05-13-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doodyville10019

...or if you want a real "natural high" just eat them whole right out of the box.

OH Nuts! · 05-14-2009, 10:05 PM

I'm A Kashi-Go-Lean man myself.... (but cheerios once inna blue moon is nice for a change)

Schmoopie · 05-15-2009, 06:24 AM

I love Honey Nut Cheerios! Now those I can eat right out of the box or with milk.

MrCleveland · 05-17-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I love that commercial!!

This is where I got the commercial....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gvV7...response_watch

catlover79 · 05-17-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

This is where I got the commercial....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gvV7...response_watch

Janice · 05-17-2009, 03:51 PM

The FDA is very strict about foods making medical claims. I remember years ago, Listerine landed in hot water for making the claim that their mouthwash could prevent the common cold. They can state that Listerine kills germs, but that's it.

steevo · 05-17-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

This is where I got the commercial....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gvV7...response_watch

"Cheerios. Ending Marriages for 41 Years."

Honey-nut Cheerios are my favorite, too. I love eating them right out of the box with the milk on the side.

05-13-2009, 12:49 PM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,222	they just aren't doing it right - you have to chop them up real fine and either snort or smoke them if you want to get high off of Cheerios. (and no I did not bother reading that long article)
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05-13-2009, 01:27 PM	#4
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,237	The box also says "Get the hell out, Steve"!
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05-13-2009, 03:40 PM	#5
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	Who ever thought they were?
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05-13-2009, 05:24 PM	#7
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	I several different breakfast cereals, including Cheerios, which is a healthy food. The FDA's concern was that some people might think that Cheerios are magic bullets in lowering cholesterol, and that they wouldn't have to do anything else to lower cholesterol. Whatever claims for or against, I will continue to eat them because I like them.
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

05-15-2009, 06:24 AM	#11
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I love Honey Nut Cheerios! Now those I can eat right out of the box or with milk.
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05-13-2009, 12:40 PM	#2
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	I eat Cheerios. Though not because I thought they were healty for me. I just like them. Especially the banana and nut flavor.

05-14-2009, 10:05 PM	#10
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I'm A Kashi-Go-Lean man myself.... (but cheerios once inna blue moon is nice for a change)

05-17-2009, 03:51 PM	#14
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	The FDA is very strict about foods making medical claims. I remember years ago, Listerine landed in hot water for making the claim that their mouthwash could prevent the common cold. They can state that Listerine kills germs, but that's it.