• April 20, 2009

The world's leading producer of cereal has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that advertising claims touting a breakfast of Frosted Mini-Wheats as "clinically shown to improve kids' attentiveness by nearly 20%" were false and violated federal law.

The proposed settlement bars deceptive or misleading cognitive health claims for Kellogg's breakfast foods and snack foods and bars the company from misrepresenting any tests or studies.

"We tell consumers that they should deal with trusted national brands," said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. "So it's especially important that America's leading companies are more 'attentive' to the truthfulness of their ads and don't exaggerate the results of tests or research. In the future, the commission will certainly be more attentive to national advertisers." --Nina Lentini