For newborn tummies

0–6 month old babies should generally have only breast milk or infant formula. Please talk to your pediatrician before giving anything else.

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Kellogg's Special K Original

food & drinks • For 0-6 month old infants • Consumable 🍝

food & drinks

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Ingredient List

Kellogg's Special K Original - Ingredients

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Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to eat Kellogg's Special K Original?

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NO - AVOID

Danger Score: 29 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: Kellogg's Special K Original contains 18 ingredients. 4 concerning, 1 caution. Concerning - Has Problematic Ingredients ⚠️ Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (18 found)

BHT

🚨6/10

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant used as a preservative. It has potential toxicity concerns and is not recommended for infants under 6 months due to immature metabolism.

Cancer - Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) has shown evidence of being a possible carcinogen in animal studies, with some regulatory agencies listing it as a possible human carcinogen.

Organ Risk - High doses of BHT have been linked to liver and kidney effects in animal studies, raising concerns about organ toxicity with repeated or high exposure.

Hormones - Some studies suggest BHT may have endocrine-disrupting properties, potentially interfering with hormone function.

Builds Up - BHT is a fat-soluble compound and can accumulate in body tissues over time with repeated exposure.

Long-Term Risk - Long-term exposure to BHT has been associated with chronic health effects in animal studies, though human data is limited.

Banned - BHT is banned or restricted in certain countries for use in food products due to safety concerns.

Confidence: HIGH

defatted wheat germ

🚨6/10

Defatted wheat germ is a wheat derivative and may pose allergy and digestive risks for 0-6 month infants. It is not typical in infant formula or foods for this age.

No Known Risk - Wheat germ is generally considered safe for babies when consumed as part of a balanced diet, unless the baby has a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance. There is no strong evidence linking wheat germ to any of the listed risks for the general population.

Confidence: HIGH

salt

🚨6/10

Salt can pose strong safety concerns for 0-6 month babies as their kidneys are immature and excess sodium can harm them. It is likely used for flavor or preservation in sweetened cereal.

Organ Risk - Excessive salt intake in babies can strain immature kidneys and may lead to kidney damage or high blood pressure.

Long-Term Risk - High salt consumption in infancy is linked to increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in life.

Confidence: HIGH

wheat gluten

🚨6/10

Wheat gluten can cause allergic reactions and is not recommended for infants under 6 months due to risk of celiac disease and allergies. Likely in sweetened cereal as a protein source.

Immune system - Wheat gluten can trigger immune reactions in babies with celiac disease or wheat allergy, potentially leading to immune system confusion or overreaction.

Confidence: HIGH

sugar

⚠️5/10

Added sugar is not recommended for babies under six months. It is not acutely toxic but can harm nutrition and encourage sweet preference and later health issues.

ADHD/ADD - High sugar intake has been linked in some studies to increased hyperactivity and attention issues in children, though evidence is mixed.

Organ Risk - Excessive sugar consumption is associated with increased risk of fatty liver disease and can stress the pancreas in children.

Long-Term Risk - Chronic high sugar intake in early life is linked to increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome later in life.

Metabolism - High sugar intake can negatively affect how the body processes nutrients and is linked to insulin resistance and metabolic disturbances.

Confidence: HIGH

Rice

✅2/10

Rice is generally safe for babies but not recommended as a main food before 6 months due to digestion and arsenic concerns. Likely used as a carbohydrate source in baby food.

No Known Risk - Rice is widely used as a first food for babies and is generally considered safe when cooked and served appropriately. There are no immediate health concerns or established risks associated with rice itself for babies based on current research, aside from rare allergies. However, concerns about arsenic in rice are not directly related to the rice ingredient itself but to environmental contamination, so the ingredient rice alone does not warrant a risk label.

Confidence: HIGH

malt flavor

✅2/10

Malt flavor is a flavoring derived from malted grains and is generally recognized as safe in small amounts. It may be used to improve taste in baby foods but should be limited for infants under 6 months.

No Known Risk - Malt flavor is generally recognized as safe for consumption, with no evidence linking it to specific health risks for babies based on current research. It is not associated with allergies, hormone disruption, cancer, or other listed risks in healthy infants, except in rare cases of gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, which are not common in the general population.

Confidence: HIGH

beta-carotene

✅1/10

Color from beta-carotene is a natural pigment used as a colorant and is generally recognized as safe for infants including 0-6 months in small amounts in food products.

No Known Risk - Beta-Carotene is a naturally occurring pigment and a source of vitamin A. It is generally recognized as safe for infants and children when consumed in normal dietary amounts. There is no strong evidence linking beta-carotene to any of the listed risks when used as a food ingredient for babies. High supplemental doses may pose risks in adults, but these do not apply to typical baby food use.

Confidence: HIGH

folic acid

✅1/10

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate essential for infant development and commonly added to baby foods and formulas. It is very safe at recommended levels for 0-6 month babies.

No Known Risk - Folic acid is an essential B vitamin recommended for infants and pregnant women, with no evidence of harm at recommended doses. There are no established links to irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other risks in babies when used appropriately.

Confidence: HIGH

niacinamide

✅1/10

Niacinamide is vitamin B3. Essential for infants and used to fortify formula. Safe at regulated amounts. High doses may cause adverse effects, so avoid extra supplementation.

No Known Risk - Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is generally recognized as safe for consumption, including in infants, when used at recommended dietary levels. There is no strong evidence linking it to any of the listed risks in babies, and it is an essential nutrient for growth and development.

Confidence: HIGH

reduced iron

✅1/10

Iron is essential for infant development and commonly added to baby cereals and formulas to prevent anemia. It is safe and necessary in regulated amounts for 0-6 month babies.

Confidence: HIGH

vitamin C

✅1/10

Vitamin C ascorbic acid is safe and commonly used in infant formula to meet nutritional needs and prevent deficiency

No Known Risk - Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is widely recognized as safe for babies when used in appropriate amounts, with no evidence linking it to the listed risks. It is an essential nutrient and not associated with irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other negative health effects at normal dietary levels.

Confidence: HIGH

vitamin D3

✅1/10

Vitamin D3 is essential and safe for 0-6 month babies in formula and supplements to support bone health and prevent deficiency.

No Known Risk - Vitamin D3 is considered safe for babies when used at recommended dietary levels. There is no strong evidence linking it to the listed risks when used appropriately. Toxicity is only a concern at extremely high doses, which is not typical for normal use in baby products.

Confidence: HIGH

vitamin E acetate

✅1/10

Vitamin E dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate is a common synthetic form of vitamin E used in infant formulas and is considered safe at regulated levels

No Known Risk - Vitamin E Acetate is generally recognized as safe for consumption in appropriate amounts, including for infants, and there is no strong evidence linking it to the listed risks when used as a dietary supplement or food additive. Most concerns about Vitamin E Acetate relate to inhalation (e.g., vaping), not oral consumption.

Confidence: HIGH

vitamin B12

✅1/10

Vitamin B12 is essential and safe for infants 0-6 months in formula and baby food at recommended levels. It supports healthy development and is commonly added.

No Known Risk - Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient required for healthy development in babies and children. There is no evidence linking normal dietary or supplemental use of vitamin B12 to any of the listed risks. It is considered safe when used as directed and is not associated with irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other negative health effects in infants.

Confidence: HIGH

vitamin B6

✅1/10

Vitamin B6 pyridoxine hydrochloride is safe in regulated amounts for infants and is used to meet nutritional needs in formula

No Known Risk - Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is a form of vitamin B6 commonly used in infant formulas and supplements. It is considered safe at recommended dosages, with no evidence of harm or negative health effects in babies when used appropriately. There are no established links to irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other risks listed above at normal exposure levels.

Confidence: HIGH

vitamin B1

✅0/10

Vitamin B1 is thiamine an essential nutrient often added to infant formula and baby food for healthy development

No Known Risk - Thiamine (vitamin B1) is an essential nutrient required for healthy growth and development in babies. It is widely used in infant formulas and foods, and there is no evidence linking it to any of the listed risks when used at recommended levels. No immediate health concerns have been found based on current research.

Confidence: HIGH

vitamin B2

✅0/10

Riboflavin is vitamin B2 essential for infant growth and development. It is safe and commonly added to baby foods and formulas.

No Known Risk - Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is an essential nutrient with no evidence of harm or negative health effects in babies when consumed at recommended levels. It is not linked to irritation, allergies, hormone disruption, cancer, or any other risk labels listed. Therefore, it is considered safe for baby consumption based on current research.

Confidence: HIGH

Common Questions About Kellogg's Special K Original

Is this newborn-safe? Kellogg's Special K Original

Kellogg's Special K Original is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 18 ingredients in Kellogg's Special K Original. 4 concerning, 1 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

When can newborns start eating food & drinks?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

⚠️ Important Disclaimers

Product Recognition: Product names are identified programatically and may be incorrect. Always verify product identity yourself.

Safety Analysis: Evaluations are for research only - consult pediatricians for medical decisions. Do not rely solely on this analysis.

No Guarantees: Results may be incomplete or inaccurate. Do not rely solely on this analysis.