Last summer saw Chicago Bar Company LLC, Chicago, extend its popular RXBAR brand into a new category with two varieties of RX Cereal.

Inspired by the taste of RXBAR's top-selling protein bars and some classic, favorite cereal flavors, RX Cereal debuted in three varieties: Chocolate Almond, Vanilla Almond and Strawberry.

RX Cereal uses a mix of pea protein, almonds and brown rice to provide its plant-based protein. Officials say all three varieties also contain simple ingredients such as fruit; they contain 11-12g of plant-based protein; and deliver 3-4g of fiber per serving (depending on the flavor). They’re also made with no artificial colors, flavors, ingredients or preservatives.

Already known its sprouted grain breads, Food For Life Baking Co., Corona, Calif., extended its Ezekiel 4:9 brand into other offerings including a Low Sodium Sprouted Flourless Crunchy Cereal. Other new extensions include English muffins and tortillas.

Food For Life's new low-sodium products contain no added sea salt. With 0mg sodium per serving, the whole grain options support a heart-healthy diet, officials say. Like all Ezekiel 4:9 products, the new English muffins, cereal, and tortillas are certified organic, vegan, and free from preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors. They are flourless, instead made from a unique combination of freshly sprouted grains and legumes that provide a source of complete protein.

Ezekiel 4:9 Low Sodium Sprouted Flourless Crunchy Cereal is available in the freezer section at natural food stores.

This Saves Lives Inc., a Culver City, Calif., mission-based brand, extended its line beyond snack bars and into oatmeal and granola.

This Saves Lives' new Kids Oatmeal is available in five flavors: Apple Cinnamon, Chocolate, Rainbow Sprinkles, Blueberry and Strawberry. Officials say new Kids GranolaPop granola “fills the gap as a better-for-you option perfect for breakfast, a before-lunch snack, or nutritious treat.” Its five varieties include Cinnamon Sugar, Blueberry, Strawberry, Chocolate and Rainbow Sprinkles.

This Saves Lives New Kids Oatmeal and Kids GranolaPop have an SRP of $4.99 per six-count box and $7.99 per 10oz. bag, respectively. The 10 new SKUs debuted online with follow-up retail distribution. With every purchase, This Saves Lives sends food aid to children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Kellogg Company, Battle Creek, Mich., introduced its second cereal in partnership with The Lumistella Company, Atlanta, which represents The Elf on the Shelf. Debuting in September was Kellogg's The Elf on the Shelf Hot Cocoa Cereal.

The festive, limited-edition cereal features cocoa-coated star pieces that intermingle with white mini marshmallows. This new flavor complements the original collaboration, Kellogg's The Elf on the Shelf Sugar Cookie Cereal with sugar-cookie-flavored red and green star pieces and mini marshmallows dusted with edible glitter.

Kellogg's The Elf on the Shelf Hot Cocoa Cereal debuted exclusively at Walmart, while Kellogg's The Elf on the Shelf Sugar Cookie Cereal returns to stores nationwide and online. Both limited-edition products are available while supplies last at a suggested retail price of $3.99-$5.69 for 8.1oz or 12.2oz boxes.

Plant-based gluten free cereal specialist OffLimits, New York, N.Y., believes cereal also is meant for snacking. Late November saw the company introduce four 1.5oz single-serve mini packs that are “perfect for an on-the-go or desktop treat,” the company says.

Mini boxes are sold in a variety pack for $20 and each includes OffLimits’ four flavors: Coffee, Pandan, Cinnamon, and Strawberry. Each box is made with a perforated top that tears off so consumers can eat directly from the box.

OffLimits also introduced cereal glitter that’s gluten-free, vegan, non-artificial, and sugar-free. It’s made from butterfly pea flower, lucuma flour, and edible glitter, the company says.

General Mills Foodservice, Minneapolis, is eyeing a March 2022 launch for new Honey Cheerios.

Created exclusively for K-12 schools, the new cereal meets CACFP guidelines and is available in 2oz equivalent grain cups and 1oz equivalent bowlpaks. Honey Cheerios will be available in March 2022.

Officials say these “Smart Snacks-compliant” cereals contain no artificial flavors, no colors from artificial sources, no caramel color or high fructose corn syrup. It also is gluten free and made without nuts.

“Ready-to-eat cereals are a top source of whole grains for children and adolescents,” said Lesley Shiery, MS, RD from the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition at General Mills Foodservice. “The new Honey Cheerios checks all the boxes to give schools an option they can feel good about serving.”

Last summer and fall saw Nature’s Path Foods, Richmond, B.C., develop and launch a broad range of new cereals.

Debuting in September were Nature’s Path Cinnamon Toast Organic Keto and Dark Chocolate Organic Keto cereals; as well as three new Ketola Crunch granolas: Toasted Pumpkin Seed & Vanilla Nut, Dark Chocolate Chip & Nut, and Blueberry & Cinnamon Nut. The cereals offer 7g of protein and just 3g of net carbs per serving, and the keto granolas have 5g of protein and up to 3g of net carbs per serving.

In mid-August, Nature’s Path introduced a limited-edition Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) Oatmeal. All the ROC oats are grown using certified ROC farming practices, on a farm owned by the company's founders in Saskatchewan, Canada. In conjunction with the release of its ROC Oatmeal, Nature's Path conducted a national survey to find out how much people know about Regenerative Organic Agriculture.

Late July saw Nature’s Path introduce its first No Added Sugar granola in two varieties: Vanilla Almond Butter and Mixed Berry. Made with zero added sugar or any chemical sugar additives, No Added Sugar granola contains just 4g of sugar (from natural sweeteners) per serving. PF