Breakfast cereal in some markets, and steady and continued growth throughout its history. The number of different types of breakfast cereals in the U.S. has grown from 160 (1970) to 340 (1998) to 4,945 (2012). In this highly competitive market, breakfast cereal companies have developed cereals in an ever-increasing number of flavors. Although many plain wheat and oat based cereals exist, other flavors are sweet. Some of the most popular brands include freeze-dried fruit and others are flavored like dessert or candy. Cereal, oatmeal and porridge quickly became an important breakfast component in North America. Barley was a common grain used, though
Kellogg Breakfast Council working for Kellogg's competition. The members were provided with a toolkit which included suggested wording for social media posts about cereal. The council members' relationship with Kellogg was not always revealed when the posts were made. In May 2016, the council members' contracts expired, and the council ceased to operate. Kellogg Breakfast Council The Kellogg Breakfast Council was an organization made up of nutrition experts, whose stated purpose on the Kellogg's cereal company website was to provide independent nutrition advice to the company. Council members included a professor of nutrition, a pediatrician, as well as several dietitians. The Breakfast Council