The original Kellogg's Special K bar has 90 calories. It contains pieces of fruit and has a topping Kellogg's refers to as a "smooth yoghurty drizzle." In 1996, a Kellogg's spokesman confirmed that the cereal bar market was the fastest-growing breakfast food segment. In the interim years, Kellogg's has expanded its cereal bar offerings to meet growing market demands.
Ingredients
The original bar contains 45 percent Special K cereal -- a mix of rice, whole wheat, wheat flour, sugar, wheat gluten, skimmed milk powder, defatted wheat germ, salt, barley malt and flavorings. The bar also includes cranberry fruit pieces, a combination of cranberries, pineapple syrup and pineapple juice concentrate. Additional components include glucose syrup, fructose, dextrose, sugar and vegetable oil.
Nutrition Information
The original Special K bar contains 8 g protein, 77 g carbohydrates, 38 g sugar, 38 g starch, 5 g fat -- 3.5 of which are saturated, 2 g fiber and 0.25 g sodium. The bars have 5 mg iron, 1 mg thiamin, 1.2 mg riboflavin, 13 mg niacin, 1.3 mg vitamin B-6, 148 mcg folic acid and 0.74 mcg vitamin B-12.
Possible Allergens
According to Kellogg's, the bars contain or may contain soy, wheat, barley and milk. These ingredients can be problematic if you suffer from wheat or soy allergies, lactose intolerance or medical conditions such as celiac disease, also known as sprue. The original bar contains skimmed milk powder, milk whey powder and lactose from milk in addition to wheat and wheat gluten.
Chemicals
The bars contain chemicals that are used in processing and preparation. A humectant comprised of sorbitol and glycerol, citric acid, calcium carbonate and soy lecithin is used as an emulsifier. The bar contains butylated hydroxyanisole, or BHA. This ingredient is also known as antioxidant E320. BHA is commonly added to baked goods because it prevents cooking oil spoilage. According to a 2001 student project website at the University of Bristol School of Chemistry, although BHA is a common food additive, it is a possible carcinogen and may cause skin, eye or respiratory irritation.
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