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Brand owned by Mars (United States) · about the brand
Kellogg's Special K Red Berries
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.5 ShowHide
Reviewed 3 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This breakfast cereal is primarily composed of whole grains (rice and whole wheat), providing a good source of dietary fiber. However, the presence of added sugar and liquid glucose contributes to the overall sugar content, which is a nutritional concern, especially for young children. The most significant safety concern is the inclusion of Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA, E320), an antioxidant classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen. While the product offers some nutritional benefits from whole grains and fortification, the BHA content warrants caution for all consumers.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Rice
- Whole wheat
- Wheat bran
- Vitamins
- Mineral
Whole grain cereal with added sugar and a possible carcinogen additive
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This breakfast cereal is made mostly from rice and whole wheat, offering fiber and fortified vitamins and minerals. However, it contains added sugar and liquid glucose, contributing to its sugar load. A key concern is the antioxidant Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), which is classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Total sugar is 25 g per 100 g.
Declared allergens: Gluten
Relevant if you have this allergy or intolerance.
Based on the declared ingredient list. This is a risk only to people with the allergy, not a general-population safety issue, so it does not lower the safety score.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for food. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Saturated fat 0.1 g · trans fat 0 g per serving
Infants under 1
AvoidContains added sugar, which is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitContains added sugar and liquid glucose, which contribute to overall sugar intake. High sugar consumption in young children should be limited.
Why the score is capped
Contains Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA, E320) — an additive classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen
Rule F-CAP-10 · Source: IARC / EFSA classification of the additive
What's good
High in whole grains (rice and whole wheat)
Good source of dietary fiber from whole wheat and wheat bran
Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
Watch out for
Contains added sugar and liquid glucose, contributing to overall sugar content
Contains Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA, E320), an IARC Group 2B possible human carcinogen
Decode Label Analysis
Contains Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA, E320), an antioxidant classified by IARC as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen.
Claim check
2 claims not supported by label dataFront-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The ingredient list does not include strawberries or any other fruit, making this claim false.
The ingredient list does not include any berries, making this claim false.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
-
1.
Rice 36.2%Rice (36.2%)
-
2.
Whole Wheat 33.2%Whole Wheat (33.2%)
-
3.
Sugar
-
4.
Wheat Bran 4.7%Wheat Bran (4.7%)
-
5.
Liquid Glucose
-
6.
Iodized Salt
-
7.
Malt Extract trace amount
-
8.
Vitamins
-
9.
Mineral
-
10.
AntioxidantAntioxidant (INS 320)
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
These are major food allergens named on the ingredient list. They are a risk only to people allergic to them — not a general-population safety issue — so they do not lower the safety score. Anyone with the allergy should avoid this product, and check the pack’s own allergen statement.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 109 kcal |
| Protein | 2.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 25.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.5 g |
| Total Fat | 0.3 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 1.5 g |
| Sodium | 200 mg |
| Energy from Fat | 3 kcal |
| Monounsaturated Fatty Acids | 0.1 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Vitamin A | 30 µg |
| Vitamin C | 9.9 mg |
| Thiamine (Vit B1) | 0.3 mg |
| Riboflavin (Vit B2) | 0.3 mg |
| Niacin (Vit B3) | 4.1 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.1 µg |
| Folate | 25.2 µg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), calculated from the declared serving — this label prints per-serving figures only.
Compare with other breakfast cereal products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
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What are the ingredients in Kellogg's Special K Red Berries?
The label of Kellogg's Special K Red Berries lists 10 ingredients, in label order: Rice, Whole wheat, Sugar, Wheat bran, Liquid Glucose, Iodized Salt, Malt Extract, Vitamins, Mineral, Antioxidant. Flagged by the analysis: Antioxidant.
Is Kellogg's Special K Red Berries safe to eat?
Kellogg's Special K Red Berries scores 1.5/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This breakfast cereal is made mostly from rice and whole wheat, offering fiber and fortified vitamins and minerals. However, it contains added sugar and liquid glucose, contributing to its sugar load. A key concern is the antioxidant Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), which is classified by IARC as a possible human carcinogen.
Why does Kellogg's Special K Red Berries score 1.5/10?
What the analysis notes: Contains added sugar and liquid glucose, contributing to overall sugar content. Contains Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA, E320), an IARC Group 2B possible human carcinogen.
Who should avoid Kellogg's Special K Red Berries?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding IARC Group 2B possible carcinogens; Limiting added sugars; Sensitive to food additives; Gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease).
Is Kellogg's Special K Red Berries suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does Kellogg's Special K Red Berries contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains gluten (Whole wheat, Wheat bran and Malt Extract). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does Kellogg's Special K Red Berries contain gluten?
Yes — the ingredient list names Whole wheat, Wheat bran and Malt Extract. People with gluten / wheat sensitivity (coeliac disease) should treat it as containing gluten, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Is Kellogg's Special K Red Berries high in sugar?
Yes — 25 g of total sugar per 100 g, above the 22.5 g per 100 g that UK front-of-pack labelling marks as high. The label does not declare added sugar separately, so we cannot say how much of it is added.
Is Kellogg's Special K Red Berries high in salt?
Yes — 667 mg of sodium per 100 g (about 1.67 g of salt), above the 1.5 g of salt per 100 g that UK front-of-pack labelling marks as high.
Are the claims on the Kellogg's Special K Red Berries pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 2 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "made with REAL Strawberries" — false. "Red Berries" — false.
Is Kellogg's Special K Red Berries vegetarian?
Kellogg's Special K Red Berries is marked vegetarian, and contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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