Kix is a popular cereal made by General Mills that many people enjoy. However, unlike many other cereals, Kix boxes do not say the cereal is gluten-free. This often leaves consumers wondering why Kix does not carry a gluten-free label despite being made from corn.
There are a few key reasons Kix cereals are not labeled as gluten-free:
Kix May Contain Traces of Wheat and Barley
General Mills produces Kix on equipment shared with other cereals that contain gluten ingredients like wheat and barley. Even though Kix itself does not contain gluten-based ingredients, there is a risk of cross-contamination during production.
Many people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity react to even tiny amounts of gluten. General Mills likely does not label Kix as gluten-free because the brand cannot guarantee cereals are 100% gluten-free after shared equipment exposure.
Lack of Official Gluten-Free Certification
For a product to be labeled gluten-free in the United States, it must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This gluten threshold was established by the FDA’s gluten-free labeling law passed in 2013.
General Mills has not obtained official gluten-free certification for Kix from organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). So the company cannot legally claim Kix cereals are gluten-free without meeting the less than 20 ppm gluten standard.
Risk of Cross-Contamination During Packaging
Even if Kix cereals contain no gluten ingredients and are produced on gluten-free equipment, there is still a chance of cross-contamination during packaging.
Many cereal facilities package various products on shared assembly lines. Gluten grains like wheat and barley could potentially get mixed into gluten-free Kix cereal during the packaging process if equipment is not properly cleaned between products.
So General Mills avoids marketing Kix as gluten-free to account for potential gluten exposure during production and packaging.
Are Kix Really Gluten-Free?
Kix cereals themselves do not contain any ingredients derived from gluten sources like wheat, barley, rye or triticale.
The two main ingredients in Kix are:
Corn Meal
Kix gets its signature crunchy texture from corn meal produced by grinding dried corn into flour. Corn is naturally gluten-free, so corn meal presents no issues for people avoiding gluten.
Sugar
Sugar is also naturally gluten-free. Cane sugar and corn syrup are commonly added to Kix cereals for sweetness.
So in terms of core ingredients, Kix cereals are gluten-free. No gluten-containing components are directly added during manufacturing.
However, due to shared facilities and equipment, General Mills cannot guarantee Kix products remain completely gluten-free through production and packaging. Small amounts of gluten from other cereals may get mixed in, even if not added intentionally.
This means that someone following a strict gluten-free diet would likely want to avoid Kix due to the higher risk of gluten exposure compared to certified gluten-free cereals. People with mild gluten sensitivities may be able to tolerate Kix, but reactions can vary greatly between individuals.
Gluten Testing of Kix Cereals
Independent gluten testing has found gluten levels in Kix cereals fall right around the FDA limit of less than 20 ppm for gluten-free labeling.
For example, testing by the Gluten Free Watchdog group detected gluten in Original Kix at 16 ppm. Another test of Honey Kix found gluten levels at 11 ppm.
So while not certified gluten-free, these test results indicate Kix cereals likely meet the technical requirements for gluten-free status. However, General Mills has not obtained official certification or labeling to market Kix as gluten-free.
Here is a table summarizing results from Gluten Free Watchdog testing of gluten levels in Kix cereals:
| Cereal | Gluten Level |
|---|---|
| Original Kix | 16 ppm |
| Honey Kix | 11 ppm |
These third-party test results provide useful data, but do not guarantee all boxes of Kix cereals will necessarily fall under 20 ppm of gluten due to potential variations in manufacturing.
Steps General Mills Takes to Minimize Gluten in Kix
While not meeting requirements to bear an official gluten-free label, General Mills does take some steps to minimize gluten during Kix cereal production:
Good Manufacturing Practices
General Mills adheres to good manufacturing practices (GMPs) in its facilities. This includes equipment cleaning protocols between gluten and gluten-free production runs to minimize cross-contamination.
Dedicated Gluten-Free Lines
Some General Mills plants have dedicated gluten-free production lines where only gluten-free cereals are made. However, Kix is not consistently manufactured on gluten-free equipment.
Employee Training
Workers receive training on proper allergen control procedures. This covers guidelines for avoiding contact between gluten and gluten-free foods during processing and packaging.
Testing Finished Products
General Mills may test some finished cereal products to ensure gluten levels fall below the FDA threshold for labeling items gluten-free. However, the brand does not test all Kix cereals for gluten.
While these controls help restrict gluten in Kix products, they do not completely eliminate the risk of cross-contact. So General Mills takes a conservative approach in not labeling Kix gluten-free.
Should You Consider Kix Gluten-Free?
Whether an individual with gluten restrictions can safely eat Kix depends on their sensitivity level:
People with Celiac Disease
For those with celiac disease, consuming even tiny amounts of gluten can trigger intestinal damage and other health issues. The trace amounts potentially in Kix would likely be unsafe for people with this autoimmune disorder.
People with a Wheat Allergy
People who must avoid wheat due to an allergy also should not consume Kix cereals due to the risk of wheat exposure during manufacturing.
People with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
Those with an intolerance to gluten but not celiac disease may be able to tolerate the very low gluten levels potentially present in Kix. Not all individuals react to small trace amounts.
People Following a Gluten-Free Diet
Someone adhering to a gluten-free diet by choice, but without a medical need, can occasionally eat foods with very low gluten present. The minimal gluten in Kix may be low enough for people in this category.
Overall, Kix cereals are likely not suitable for those who must strictly avoid any gluten exposure, like people with celiac disease. Individuals with milder sensitivities may be able to consume Kix, but should check with a doctor.
General Mills recommends people with celiac disease or wheat allergies avoid Kix cereals since the company cannot guarantee they are 100% gluten-free products after manufacturing.
Precautions for Consuming Kix with Gluten Issues
Someone who falls into the latter categories of being able to potentially tolerate trace gluten may still want to take precautions around eating Kix cereals:
Check Labels on Each Box
Review the allergen statement on each package to ensure wheat or barley ingredients are not listed, which would indicate a higher risk of gluten content.
Look for Dedicated Facility Symbols
Some Kix boxes note they were produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility, which further minimizes cross-contamination risks.
Contact General Mills
You can contact the company to ask about gluten testing results for specific Kix cereal varieties to determine current gluten levels.
Introduce Kix Slowly
Gradually incorporate Kix into your diet in small amounts to evaluate your tolerance and reaction. Avoid overindulging when first reintroducing Kix.
Be Cautious If Highly Sensitive
Proceed with extra caution or avoid Kix altogether if you know you react strongly to even miniscule gluten intake.
By verifying packaging, understanding your individual sensitivity and contacting General Mills with questions, you can make an informed decision on including Kix cereals in a gluten-free lifestyle. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider as well.
Why General Mills Does Not Label Kix as Gluten-Free
With this context in mind, the main reasons General Mills does not classify Kix as gluten-free include:
Risk of Trace Gluten from Shared Lines
Due to shared equipment with gluten cereals, General Mills cannot guarantee no cross-contamination.
Lack of Official Certification
The company has not obtained formal gluten-free certification for Kix products from certification bodies.
Variation Between Production Batches
Gluten levels may fluctuate between different manufacturing runs based on factors like how thoroughly equipment is cleaned.
No Testing of All Finished Products
General Mills only tests some Kix cereal boxes, not every single one, for gluten.
Avoiding Legal Liability
The company minimizes liability by not labeling Kix gluten-free in case any cereal boxes exceed the 20 ppm FDA threshold.
By not making an official gluten-free claim, General Mills avoids legal risk. But this leaves many consumers confused about the gluten status of beloved Kix cereals.
Consumer Demand for Gluten-Free Kix
The lack of a gluten-free designation on Kix cereal boxes has become a source of consumer frustration and feedback to General Mills.
Many people who must follow gluten-free diets report Kix were previously safe for them to eat before celiac disease diagnosis or wheat allergy development. They have fond memories of enjoying Kix and wish to eat the cereals again but are uncertain of the gluten risk.
General Mills receives regular comments on Kix social media pages, customer service lines and emails asking why the company does not label Kix as gluten-free or make explicitly gluten-free varieties.
There are also frequent questions about the gluten status of Kix on consumer forums and celiac blogs, showing this is an ongoing issue of concern.
So while General Mills has valid reasons from a legal and liability standpoint for not classifying Kix as gluten-free, consumer desire for explicitly gluten-free versions remains high.
Consumer Quotes About Gluten-Free Kix
Here are some direct quotes from consumers expressing interest in gluten-free labeled Kix cereals:
“Please make this gluten free! My son and I love Kix, but we both have celiac.”
“I really wish you’d make gluten-free Kix! They were my favorite cereal before my celiac diagnosis.”
“I used to love Kix but can’t take the risk now that I’m gluten intolerant. Too bad you don’t label them gluten free.”
“Kix were my go-to cereal growing up but I can’t have them anymore since going gluten free unless you make them gluten free.”
Kix Gluten-Free Petitions
There are even petitions online urging General Mills to begin explicitly labeling Kix cereals as gluten-free and take the necessary steps to eliminate gluten cross-contact.
For example, one Change.org petition called “Make Gluten Free Kix Cereal” has over 1,300 signatures. The petition states: “Kix cereal is made from corn but does not say gluten free. We deserve gluten free Kix!”
So the desire for certainty around the gluten status of Kix through declared gluten-free labeling remains strong among many consumers.
Could Kix Go Gluten-Free in the Future?
The outpouring of requests for gluten-free labeled Kix cereals raises the question – could General Mills ever decide to make Kix an officially certified gluten-free brand?
While not impossible, there are some obstacles that would need to be addressed:
Cost of New Gluten-Free Production Lines
To prevent cross-contamination with gluten grains, General Mills would need to invest in dedicated gluten-free equipment and facilities just for Kix. This would come at a substantial upfront cost.
Risk of Lower Profit Margins
Portioning facilities to solely make Kix would reduce production efficiencies and economies of scale, which could cut into profits on Kix cereals.
Changes to Manufacturing Processes
Getting certified gluten-free would require changes to manufacturing protocols, employee training, auditing, raw material sourcing, and cleaning procedures.
Cost of Gluten-Free Certification
General Mills would need to pay for certification audits and testing of finished products to comply with gluten-free labeling laws.
Risk of Increased Liability
Labeling Kix as gluten-free would open General Mills up to greater legal and financial risk if any cereal boxes exceeded gluten standards due to human error.
However, consumers have proven hungry for more gluten-free options, with gluten-free cereal sales growing at over 8% per year. Capturing this market demand could offset the costs over time of transitioning Kix to certified gluten-free status.
2022 research found 59% of gluten-free consumers would switch to a new brand if it meant guaranteed gluten-free status. So with sufficient consumer interest, General Mills may eventually determine it makes business sense to convert Kix to a dedicated gluten-free cereal. But the company currently has no announced plans to do so.
Other Gluten-Free Cereal Options from General Mills
While Kix itself is not gluten-free, General Mills does market several certified gluten-free cereals:
Gluten-Free Cheerios
Cheerios, in flavors like original and Apple Cinnamon, provide a gluten-free alternative to wheat-based regular Cheerios. They are made on dedicated gluten-free production lines.
Gluten-Free Chex
Rice Chex and Corn Chex are confirmed gluten-free by GFCO certification and made in facilities isolated from gluten.
Gluten-Free Lucky Charms
Lucky Charms gluten-free cereal allows enjoyment of the signature marshmallow pieces without the wheat-based toasted oat cereal.
So people who must avoid gluten do have some certified gluten-free cereal options from General Mills, though currently not Kix.
Steps to Request Gluten-Free Kix
If you would like General Mills to consider making Kix gluten-free in the future, there are steps you can take to make your voice heard as a consumer:
Contact General Mills Directly
Call (800) 248-7310 or email General Mills at www.generalmills.com/ContactUs. Express interest in gluten-free Kix and explain why this matters to you.
Post on Kix Social Media
Comment on Kix cereal’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram asking the brand to create certified gluten-free varieties. Tag them in posts describing your desire for gluten-free Kix.
Start a Petition
Launch a petition on a site like Change.org calling on General Mills to make Kix gluten-free. Rally support from your online networks.
Submit Product Suggestions
Use General Mills online submission form at www.generalmills.com/ContactUs/product-suggestion to request gluten-free Kix.
Tweet at Leadership
Tweet polite requests for gluten-free Kix directly to General Mills’ CEO and leadership team social media accounts.
By persistently and positively expressing consumer demand, we can encourage General Mills to evaluate the feasibility of finally making gluten-free Kix cereals a reality.
The Bottom Line
Kix does not currently bear a gluten-free label, even though testing shows gluten levels test below 20 ppm. General Mills avoids calling Kix gluten-free due to risk of gluten exposure during manufacturing and packaging. People with celiac disease or wheat allergies should avoid Kix, but some with milder gluten issues may tolerate occasional consumption. However, gluten-free consumers continue requesting General Mills label Kix as gluten-free or create dedicated gluten-free varieties. While challenging, with sufficient consumer interest General Mills may one day decide the investment required to make Kix gluten-free is worthwhile to meet market demand. Contacting the company to voice your support for gluten-free labeled Kix is the best way to make your opinion heard and potentially influence future product decisions.
