Statement of the Malt-O-Meal® Company
Regarding Food Safety Issues
Malt-O-Meal's highest priority is the safety of the people who consume our cereals. All ingredients from our suppliers must pass strict quality standards. Only those ingredients that have passed a rigorous approval process, including country of origin, are used in the making of Malt-O-Meal® cereals. Malt-O-Meal® requires its suppliers to regularly conduct third-party audits of their facilities to verify that they are utilizing rigorous food safety systems in their handling and processing of ingredients.
Due to a high level of customer demand, some of our product line may be unavailable for the next several months. We’re sorry for any inconvenience. Click Here for More Information >
Search Questions by topic:
Search by Question:
- How can some of your cereal products be labeled as having 0 grams trans fat when they contain partially hydrogenated oil?
- Are you cereal products Kosher certified?
- Do you have any gluten free products?
- What is the source of the gelatin in your products?
- What is your allergen labeling policy?
- How do I find Malt-O-Meal® products in my community?
- How do I ask my favorite grocery store to carry Malt-O-Meal® brand cereals?
- Has my favorite Malt-O-Meal® cereal been discontinued?
- What is the best way to store Malt-O-Meal® cereals?
- Is it safe to eat your cereal when it has passed its 'Best If Used By' date?
- Do you offer tours of your plant?
- Do you offer coupons to your consumers?
- What happened to the survey and coupon offer shown on the packaging and website?
- After Malt-O-Meal® ready-to-eat cereals are opened, how does one reclose the bag to keep the cereal fresh?
- Why are your products lower in price than leading box brands?
- How do you make Malt-O-Meal® cereals?
- Where can I purchase Malt-O-Meal hot wheat cereals?
- What is farina?
- What are the black flecks in Malt-O-Meal hot wheat cereals?
Ingredient Questions
Q: How can some of your cereal products be labeled as having 0 grams trans fat when they contain partially hydrogenated oil?
A: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines how nutrition information on food labels is communicated to consumers. The FDA has determined that amounts of less than 0.5 gram per serving for all fats, including trans fat, must be declared as “0” grams in the Nutrition Facts box on food labels. As a result, consumers may see a product that lists 0 grams trans fat but actually contains some trans fat.
Q: Are you cereal products Kosher certified?
A: Most Malt-O-Meal cereal products are Kosher certified. If the product you are interested in is Kosher certified, its packaging will reflect its certification status and category. Kosher certifications may change over time, so the best way to determine a product's Kosher status is to look at the front of the package. Malt-O-Meal product packages will always reflect the most current information.
Q: Do you have any gluten free products?
A: Currently, our Malt-O-Meal Fruity Dyno-Bites® cereal does not contain any gluten ingredients. We remind consumers to read the ingredient statement each time they purchase a product to ensure no changes have occurred.
Q: What is the source of the gelatin in your products?
A:The gelatin we use in our products is derived from pork. Gelatin is found in the marshmallows in our Marshmallow Mateys™ cereal and the icing in our Mini Spooners® cereal.
Q: What is your allergen labeling policy?
A: We understand and share the concerns expressed by consumers who are affected by food allergies. Food Allergic consumers should rely on our package ingredient labels for the most accurate information on a product. If a product contains any of the FDA major eight allergens (egg, milk, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat) it will be clearly listed on the ingredient label in bold print. If we do make a product that contains any of these eight major allergens, all products made on the same production line would contain the same allergen or a full allergen tested and validated cleaning process would be performed between production runs.
General Questions
Q: How do I find Malt-O-Meal® products in my community?
A: Visit our new Store Locator and do a search in your neighborhood.
Click Here to visit the Store Locator.
Q: How do I ask my favorite grocery store to carry Malt-O-Meal® brand cereals?
A: Call or write to the manager at your favorite grocery store and request they carry Malt-O-Meal® Products.
Q: Has my favorite Malt-O-Meal® cereal been discontinued?
A: Due to lack of consumer demand, the products shown below have been discontinued over the past few years and are no longer available:
- Malt-O-Meal®: Balance cereal
- Malt-O-Meal®: Balance with Berries cereal
- Malt-O-Meal®: Big Bowl Instant Oatmeal
- Malt-O-Meal®: Choc-Colossal Crunch
- Malt-O-Meal®: Cinnamon Golden Puffs
- Malt-O-Meal®: Maple & Brown Sugar Mini Spooners
- Malt-O-Meal®: Perfect Balance Hot Wheat cereal
- Malt-O-Meal®: Puffed Rice
- Malt-O-Meal®: Puffed Wheat
- Malt-O-Meal®: Scooters
- Malt-O-Meal®: Toasty O's cereal
- Malt-O-Meal®: Vanilla Cream Mini Spooners
Q: What is the best way to store Malt-O-Meal® cereals?
A: We recommend that you keep Malt-O-Meal® cereals in a cool, dry place.
Q: Is it safe to eat your cereal when it has passed its 'Best If Used By' date?
A: Yes, it is safe, but since flavor will change as the product ages, we recommend that you purchase a new package.
Q: Do you offer tours of your plant?
A: Unfortunately, for both safety and security reasons, we are unable to offer plant tours.
Q: Do you offer coupons to your consumers?
A: Yes. Consumers can watch for our product coupons in local newspapers, at retail stores, on our product packages, or through other special offers.
Q: What happened to the survey and coupon offer shown on the packaging and website?
A: Our consumer survey and coupon offer has ended. We appreciate the helpful input and feedback from our many consumers. Thanks to all who participated.
Cold Cereal Questions
Q: After Malt-O-Meal® ready-to-eat cereals are opened, how does one reclose the bag to keep the cereal fresh?
A: Now, many of our great ready-to-eat cereals have a convenient TopZip™ closure. This easy-to-use closure makes opening and reclosing simple and keeps your cereal fresh. Some consumers prefer to transfer our cereals into storage containers.
Q: Why are your products lower in price than leading box brands?
A: Ounce for ounce, Malt-O-Meal® ready-to-eat cereals cost less than the leading box brands. We are able to provide this everyday savings by limiting packaging and advertising costs and focusing on quality.<
Q: How do you make Malt-O-Meal® cereals?
A: Common processes for producing ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are as follows:
- Puffing: Whole grains or dried ingredients are exposed to high pressure and high temperatures. After the pressure and temperature have reached a certain level, the product is quickly released. This action causes the grain to puff itself inside out and the dried shapes to expand.
- Extruding: Main ingredients are mixed together and cooked. The cooked dough is then fed to a forming extruder, which shapes the dough as desired. Extruded shapes are then dried and puffed as described above. Additional drying may be necessary.
Hot Cereal Questions
Q: Where can I purchase Malt-O-Meal hot wheat cereals?
A: Malt-O-Meal hot wheat cereals can be found in grocery, convenience, drug and club stores. If you do not see our products on your grocer's shelves, please ask the store manager so they can order and stock it for you and other consumers. Malt-O-Meal hot wheat cereals can also be purchased directly from My Brands, Inc.
A: Derived from the wheat kernel, farina is produced through a milling process which removes the wheat bran and germ layer. The very middle portion of the wheat kernel - called farina - remains.
Q: What are the black flecks in Malt-O-Meal hot wheat cereals?
A: The black flecks are malted barley, which adds a sweet, toasted grain flavor to our cereal.