Truelabel

Cap'n Crunch Cinnamon Roll Cereal

by Pepsico

This is ultra-processed cereal with sugar as the second ingredient, artificial preservatives, and minimal nutritional value despite added vitamins. The high sugar content and industrial processing make it closer to candy than a nutritious breakfast food.

  • Corn flour – safe · Refined corn flour provides carbohydrates but lacks the fiber and nutrients of whole corn.
  • Sugar – controversial · Second ingredient by weight, contributing to high glycemic load and metabolic stress when consumed regularly.
  • Oat flour – safe · Provides some fiber and protein, though processing reduces nutritional benefits compared to whole oats.
  • Brown sugar – controversial · Additional sugar source that increases total sugar content and glycemic impact.
  • Palm oil – controversial · High in saturated fat and associated with inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids when highly processed.
  • Coconut oil – safe · More stable saturated fat, though still adds to overall caloric density.
  • Salt – safe · Used for flavor enhancement in normal amounts.
  • Natural flavor – safe · Generally recognized as safe but lacks transparency in specific compounds used.
  • Artificial flavor – controversial · Synthetic flavoring compounds that may contain undisclosed chemicals and additives.
  • Cinnamon – beneficial · Natural spice with antioxidant properties and potential blood sugar benefits.
  • Caramel color – controversial · May contain 4-methylimidazole, a potential carcinogen formed during manufacturing process.
  • Maltodextrin – controversial · Highly processed starch with higher glycemic index than table sugar, can disrupt gut bacteria.
  • Modified corn starch – safe · Chemically altered starch used as thickener, generally recognized as safe.
  • Reduced iron – safe · Iron fortification to replace nutrients lost during processing.
  • Niacinamide – safe · B vitamin (B3) added for nutritional fortification.
  • Zinc oxide – safe · Mineral fortification for immune and metabolic function.
  • Thiamin mononitrate – safe · B vitamin (B1) fortification to replace processing losses.
  • Riboflavin – safe · B vitamin (B2) added for nutritional enhancement.
  • Pyridoxine hydrochloride – safe · B vitamin (B6) fortification for metabolic functions.
  • Folic acid – safe · Synthetic form of folate added for nutritional fortification.
  • BHT – controversial · Synthetic antioxidant preservative that may disrupt hormones and has been linked to cancer in animal studies.
  • Sulfites – controversial · Preservative that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Contains cinnamon with antioxidant properties

Fortified with essential B vitamins and iron

Some oat flour provides minimal fiber

12 grams of sugar per serving (second ingredient)

Contains BHT preservative linked to health concerns

Ultra-processed with artificial flavors and colors

High glycemic impact from refined grains

Maltodextrin disrupts gut microbiome

Caramel color may contain carcinogenic compounds

More sugar than many desserts despite breakfast positioning