Is Frosted Flakes Ultra Processed?
Yes — Ultra-Processed
Frosted Flakes are ultra-processed (Level 4). Each flake undergoes a multi-stage industrial process: corn is extruded under heat and pressure, flattened into flakes, toasted, and then coated in a sugar glaze that accounts for over 30% of the product by weight.
Key Findings
- •At 12g of sugar per 39g serving, Frosted Flakes are approximately 31% sugar by weight — comparable to many cookies
- •The corn is degerminated before processing, removing the most nutritious parts of the kernel before extrusion and sugar-coating
- •Tony the Tiger has marketed directly to children since 1952, making Frosted Flakes one of the earliest and most persistent examples of character-driven food marketing to minors
Why Is Frosted Flakes Ultra-Processed?
Frosted Flakes manufacturing begins with milled corn (degerminated, removing fiber and fat), which is cooked with sugar, malt flavoring, and salt in a pressurized vessel. The cooked mass is then extruded, flattened by heavy rollers into flake shapes, and toasted in a rotary oven. Finally, each flake is tumbled in a drum sprayer that applies a sugar glaze — delivering 12g of sugar per 39g serving (roughly 31% sugar by weight). Tony the Tiger has marketed this product to children since 1952, making it one of the longest-running examples of character-driven marketing of a high-sugar product to minors. The added vitamins are synthetic replacements for nutrients the corn lost during degermination and high-heat processing.
Frosted Flakes Processing Level Distribution
How 871 frosted flakes products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 13.3 · Average nutrition score: 3.7/10
Frosted Flakes Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed frosted flakes products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic Frosted Flakes | Wild Harvest | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Organic Frosted Flakes Cereal | Greenwise | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Frosted Flakes Sweetened Flakes of Corn Cereal, Frosted Flakes | Simple Truth | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Frosted Flakes Cereal, Frosted Flakes | Full Circle Market | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Frosted Flakes Sweetened Flakes of Corn Cereal, Frosted Flakes | Simple Truth | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Organic Stoneground Frosted Flakes Cereal, Frosted Flakes | Back to the Roots | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Frosted Flakes Sweetened Flakes of Corn Cereal, Frosted Flakes | Simple Truth | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Organic Frosted Flakes Cereal | Greenwise | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Frosted Flakes | 365 Everyday Value | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
| Frosted Flakes Sweetened Flakes of Corn Cereal, Frosted Flakes | Simple Truth | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 2.0 | 3 |
How to Read Frosted Flakes Labels
- 1
Sugar is the second ingredient — each serving is nearly one-third sugar by weight
- 2
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) added "for freshness" is a synthetic preservative
- 3
The corn has been degerminated (fiber and healthy fats removed) before processing even begins
- 4
The long list of fortified vitamins indicates the base grain has been stripped of natural nutrients
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sugar is in Frosted Flakes?
Frosted Flakes contain 12g of sugar per 39g serving, making the cereal approximately 31% sugar by weight. That is nearly one-third sugar, comparable to some cookie products.
Are Frosted Flakes worse than regular Corn Flakes?
Both start with the same extruded corn base, but Frosted Flakes add a sugar glaze coating. Corn Flakes have 4g sugar per serving vs Frosted Flakes' 12g. Both are Level 4 due to the extrusion process, but Frosted Flakes have significantly more added sugar.
Is there a healthier frosted cereal alternative?
Plain rolled oats (Level 1) with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup give you whole grain nutrition with far less total sugar and no industrial processing. You control the sweetness level rather than a sugar-glaze machine.