It was almost one year ago that I reported that Rice Chex was re-formulated to be gluten-free. Now it looks like some more gluten-free Chex cereals are coming to stores near you. Some people have found them already.
I spoke with General Mills customer service today to confirm that Corn Chex, Cinnamon Chex, Strawberry Chex, and Honey Nut Chex have also been re-formulated to be gluten-free. The General Mills representative said that if any of their cereals are gluten-free it will be clearly marked on the front and side of the box and that some cereals may be rolled out in only some parts of the country at first. UPDATE: Gluten-free versions of Chex will officially be available on June 1st. Thanks to The Gluten-Free Homemaker for this detail!
While these new cereal options are great for the gluten-free crowd, people with other food allergies beware! Strawberry Chex and Cinnamon Chex list soy, milk and peanut on their labels. Back in October of 2008 when Allergy Moms’ Gina Clowes wrote about General Mills putting peanut flour in their cereals, the Director of Consumer Affairs for General Mills responded with:
“Each variety of cereal (or any product in the grocery) should be looked at as unique. Rice Chex cereal is made in a facility that does not process peanut ingredients and is, therefore, not labeled as containing peanuts. It is also gluten-free. The Strawberry Chex cereal, while containing Rce Chex cereal as a component, is blended in a facility that also processes products that contain peanut flour. Even though we don’t use peanut as ingredient in Strawberry Chex, we include it on the ingredient list due to the possibility of cross contamination and the severity of peanut allergies. We then highlight peanut as an allergen in bold print at the end of the ingredient information on the package.
My point was, you can confidently continue to enjoy Chex cereal varieties, and others, that do not list peanuts as an allergen on the package. If there is any chance of peanut ingredients being in the package, we will label it accordingly. With all food products, we urge people with food allergies to always read the ingredient label to check for the presence of ingredients that should be avoided.”
Sandy says
It is good to know that Chex has reformulated more cereals to be gluten free. It would be good too if they could omit the fructose too which leads to weight gain in adults and children.
Spud says
I don’t understand why more products aren’t made to be gluten free if they can be. My household is a major consumer of Rice Chex now solely because of the gluten free designation. It seems like it should be a relatively easy thing to do.
Marcia says
I don’t understand why they have to make it so confusing. Why not just finish preparing the strawberry rice check in the GF facility and avoid contamination with peanuts ? Now I have to be sure to warn my duaghter with a peanut allergy that she can’t eat the strawberry flavored rice checks. I wonder if the cinamon are safe ?
seamaiden says
Great article! Personally I don’t care about the strawberry rice chex (although I don’t have peanut or soy allergies) because Dh brought some home the other day based on a safe-appearing label but they smell (and taste, according to him) so artificially strawberry flavored that I don’t think I would like them anyway. Honey nut chex and corn chex on the other hand are very exciting news! Yay!
-Sea
Erin says
how cool!
i can’t wait for them to hit houston shelves 🙂
thanks for the information!
Betty C. Freeman says
I’m 78 years old. I was diagnosed with Celic 11 years ago. I love the Rice Chex cereal and am glad to hear you have come out with other gluten free cereals. Thank you so much. I live in the Chicago area.
karen says
That is great news! Thanks for the info!
Cori says
This truly excites me. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease almost two years ago. I have seen many strides with major companies trying to accomadate people with this diagnosis and its exciting!
terry o'brien says
Dear General Mills,
Thank YOU!! You are the only company helping all those with celiac disease. We have 4 in our family and probably more not diagnosed. We are very loyal customers but now since you have expaned our cereal menu we just want to say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
sirenia says
good news
My daughter and I can not wait to taste this cereal
Archana says
My 5 year old son has nut, corn, egg and gluten allergies. I have always bought Rice Chex cereal for him and he loves it. I cook all his meals at home, since he cannot eat most products anyways. I wish other companies would have gluten and nut free products.
Kathy Davis says
I am so happy to hear General Mills has more cereal available that is gluten-free. My son and I eat a ton of Rice Chex because it is more affordable than other gluten-free cereals. Thank you for taking the initiative I hope more companies follow suit.
Eva says
Have you heard Betty Crocker has gluten free mixes?
http://killthegluten.blogspot.com/2009/03/guess-what.html
erin pickering says
It is so amazing to see these large food manufacturers going to gluten-free. The more mainstream this becomes the better it is for us, and the easier to eat safely.
Dale says
We found the gluten free Honey nut chex in Wichita, KS! hooray! They are so good!
Zara Briggs says
We shop at Hannaford Market in Yarmouth Maine. When would we expect they will have your gluetin free cereals on the shelf? Very excited about it as we have a grandchild with celiac and diabetes. Thank you.
Zannona says
It is great these cereals are readily available…but I would like to point out that we should continue to support companies that make gluten-free a focus of their production…rather than a money maker….I have seen these big companies offer up hope, only to quit making gf products…in the mean time…I can no longer get my old favorite stuff…because they couldn’t make stay in the mix….Again….I love the increased support of g.f…but don’t want to go back to baking with bean flour again….So…let’s not forget the standards…..
Patrick M says
Does General Foods have any info on perhaps certifying any of its Nature Valley Cranola Bars as GF as well. According to several flavors, there are several with no inclusion of wheat, barley, and rye in both the Contains and May listings, such as Pecan Crunch and Oats’n Dark Chocolate bars. I love them and they do not trigger any reaction for me. It would be great if they could certify GF as they do for several of their Chex product line.
alison says
Patrick,
I am pretty sure that General Mills is using mainstream commercial oats, meaning that they may be contaminated with wheat. Unless they are using certified gluten-free oats, they will not claim to be gluten-free. But perhaps they will change their recipe!
marian Little says
I have been looking for the glutin free Chex cereals in Belleville Ontario and have had no luck can you tell me if they are sold here? I need a different variety for my breakfasts Thank you
Alison says
Marian,
Sorry, I don’t know if they are sold where you live. Ask your store if they can get it for you.
Maria says
Excited that the cereals are gluten free but third and fourth ingredients are sugars!! Fructose isn’t as bad as white sugar but still. 🙁
marian Little says
No luck finding the Chex cereal yet ( Glutin free )
Thanks for answereing Marian
Marion Vandenbroucke says
While in Florida this winter I discovered the gluten free cereal. I now feel much better that I am able to eat cereal again. However, since returning home, I have not been able to locate a store in my area that carries the cereal. Can you please help me out. If I cannot buy it here, would I be able to order it and have it delivered to my home? I live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
Thank you
Marion Vandenbroucke
Alison says
Marion and Marian,
Try Amazon.com!
marian Little says
I will be soooo glad when I can get the chex cereal in Ontario, I see it advertised on T.V but have not found a store here that carries it yet. Please let it be soon
Thank you Marian
Daryl says
Has anyone had a reaction to Chex cereals? I got a reaction when eating Rice Chex and after some investigation I understand they are not entirely gluten free…
Peggy says
Just noticed that Cinnamon Chex now no longer lists ‘peanut flour’ or ‘contains peanuts’ on the ingredient label. Called General Mills to ask about the change and was given the standard answer that ingredients can change and if there is any risk of cross-contamination it would be labeled in the ‘may contain’ statement. Still not sure we’ll try the Cinnamon flavor or not.
John says
Gluten-free Chex SUCK. I bought some by mistake and threw the box away after I tried them, thinking they were stale, or something. I saw the box in the recycle bin and realized what was wrong.
RichardM says
Not a gluten free user but have eaten Chex for years. After trying the new formulation I won’t be buying them any more.
Lori Alayne Weber Miller says
My pastors daughter just spent the day in the hospital due to anaphylaxis she had single serve cinnamon chex from the school breakfast, she is allergic to peanuts.