Kellogg's Special K Original

food & drinks • For 2-5 year old children • Consumable 🍝

food & drinks

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Kellogg's Special K Original - Front

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Ingredient List

Kellogg's Special K Original - Ingredients

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Safe for preschoolers to eat Kellogg's Special K Original?

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NOT RECOMMENDED
Danger Score: 6 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Kellogg's Special K Original contains 18 ingredients. 1 concerning. Concerning - Has Problematic Ingredients ⚠️ Consider preschooler activity levels.

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 young children in consumables.
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
sugar
✅3/10
Sugar in small amounts is allowed for 2 to 5 year olds but has minor risks like tooth decay and extra calories.
Confidence: HIGH
defatted wheat germ
✅2/10
Defatted wheat germ is a byproduct of wheat germ oil extraction and contains nutrients. It is generally safe but may pose allergy risks for sensitive children.
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
✅2/10
Salt is commonly used in small amounts in sweetened cereals for flavor. It is generally safe for 2-5 year olds but intake should be limited to avoid excess sodium.
Confidence: HIGH
wheat gluten
✅2/10
Wheat gluten is generally safe for 2-5 year olds but may cause issues in children with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Common in cereals for texture and protein.
Confidence: HIGH
Rice
✅1/10
Rice is commonly used in baby foods for 2-5 years old and is very safe with minimal allergy risk and good nutritional value.
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
beta-carotene
✅1/10
Color from beta-carotene is a natural pigment used as a food colorant and is generally safe for children aged 2-5 in consumable products like baby food and supplements.
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
malt flavor
✅1/10
Malt flavor is generally safe as a flavoring agent derived from malted barley and used in small amounts in baby foods for taste enhancement.
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
niacinamide
✅1/10
Essential vitamin B3 form for fortification. Safe at typical food levels for 2 to 5 years. High supplement doses may cause nausea or liver effects. Included as a nutrient.
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 toddlers 2-5 years for development and commonly added to cereals for nutrition. Safe at recommended levels in baby foods.
Confidence: HIGH
vitamin D3
✅1/10
Vitamin D3 is essential for bone health and safe in appropriate doses for 2-5 year olds. It is commonly added to cereals for nutritional benefit.
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 safe form of vitamin E used in foods and supplements for children
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 B6
✅1/10
Vitamin B6 pyridoxine hydrochloride is safe in regulated amounts for 2-5 years and is used to support normal growth and development
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
folic acid
✅0/10
Folic Acid is very safe for 2-5 year olds and commonly added to cereals for nutritional fortification to prevent deficiencies.
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
vitamin B1
✅0/10
Vitamin B1 also known as thiamine is essential for growth and safe in regulated amounts for 2-5 years children often added to baby foods
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 growth and energy metabolism. It is safe and commonly added to baby foods and cereals for ages 2-5 years.
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
vitamin C
✅0/10
Vitamin C ascorbic acid is safe for 2-5 years in food and supplements and helps support immune health 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 B12
✅0/10
Vitamin B12 is essential and safe for 2-5 year olds in baby food and supplements at recommended levels. It supports growth and brain development.
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

Common Questions About Kellogg's Special K Original

Preschooler-safe? Kellogg's Special K Original

Kellogg's Special K Original is not recommended for 2-5 year old children due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

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

Is this suitable for preschoolers to eating food & drinks?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. 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.