Kellogg’s Corn Pops: Cereal Profile

Welcome to our Kellogg’s Corn Pops cereal profile, where we’ve answered some of the most common questions about this classic kids’ cereal. Get ready to explore the world of Kellogg’s Corn Pops where you might just discover more than you ever knew about this iconic cereal!

What Is Kellogg’s Corn Pops Cereal?

It is a brand of corn cereal manufactured by Kellogg’s. It is primarily made with milled corn, sugar, and corn syrup. Its cereal box describes it as “sweet crispy crunch”.

Appearance

Corn Pops features pieces of yellow puffed corn. It lacks the visual appeal of cereals like Lucky Charms and Fruity Pebbles. However, its sweetened puffed corn will certainly please the palates of many children and adults who still likely enjoy this childhood favorite.

History

Corn Pops were launched by Kellogg’s in 1950. A few name variations occurred through the including “Sugar Corn Pops” in 1951 & 1978 and “Pops” in 2006 before changing back to Corn Pops as it is still called today.

Today, Kellogg’s Corn Pops continues to be a popular cereal choice, offering a nostalgic taste of breakfast history with its sweet, corn-flavored puffs. Its appeal reminds us of the enduring power of a simple yet delicious breakfast cereal.

Do They Still Make Corn Pops?

Yes, Kellogg’s Corn Pops are still being made. The photo of the cereal box above was purchased by us from Kroger within a few days of this article. Most major U.S. grocery stores will have it in stock.

There was some speculation that the cereal was discontinued around early 2023. Kellogg’s quickly eliminated fears of its demise by posting the following on Twitter:

Unless you hear directly from Kellogg’s or another reputable source that Corn Pops have been discontinued, you should expect them to still be stocked on grocery store shelves. If they ever happen to stop being made, it’ll be news given the cereal has been around for decades and is iconic in many ways.

The above being said, Corn Pops was once sold in the United Kingdom for most of the 1990s and into the early 2000s. However, the cereal became unavailable in that market in 2004. According to Wales Online, you can still get Corn Pops in the U.K. as an American import.

You can still purchase Corn Pops outside the U.S. in Canada. However, as Cerealously informs us, the Corn Pops made for Canadians are not the same as the ones made for Americans.

Corn Pops Cereal Box Sizes

Kellogg’s Corn Pops is sold in 0.75 oz., 1.5 oz., 10 oz., 13.1 oz., 14.6 oz., 18.1 oz., 19.1 oz., 22.6 oz., 25.8 oz., 33 oz. box sizes.

Is Corn Pops Cereal Healthy?

Kellogg’s Corn Pops cereal offers a moderate nutritional profile.

It contains relatively low total fat and cholesterol, making it a suitable choice for people seeking to limit their intake of these nutrients.

However, it’s important to note that Corn Pops do contain added sugar. As the table below shows, the added sugar content is 15 grams per serving. Let’s compare its added sugar to what the government health officials recommend in America.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 recommend to limit daily added sugar intake to 10% of total calories. So, a person following a 2,000 calorie per day diet could eat 200 calories from added sugar or about 50 grams (12 teaspoons) of added sugar in a day.

Additionally, the cereal provides some essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron and B vitamins. It also has a small amount of beneficial protein.

While Corn Pops can be part of a balanced diet, readers should consider consuming it in moderation, especially if they are mindful of their sugar intake.

Nutrition Facts	Cereal Only	Cereal with 3/4 cup skim milk
Serving Size	1 1/3 Cup (40 g)
Calories	150	220
Total Fat	0 g	0.5 g
– Saturated Fat	0 g	0 g
– Trans Fat	0 g	0 g
– Polyunsaturated Fat	0 g	0 g
– Monounsaturated Fat	0 g	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg	<5 mg
Sodium	160 mg	240 mg
Total Carbohydrate	36 g	45 g
– Dietary Fiber	0 g	0 g
– Total Sugars	15 g	25 g
— Includes 15g Added Sugars	15 g	15 g
Protein	2 g	8 g
Vitamin D	2 mcg, 10% DV	4.2 mcg, 20% DV
Calcium	0 mg	220 mg, 15% DV
Iron	4.5 mg, 25% DV	4.5 mg, 25% DV
Potassium	30 mg, 0% DV	320 mg, 6% DV
Thiamin	20%	25%
Riboflavin	20%	45%
Niacin	20%	25%
Vitamin B6	20%	20%
Folate (45 mcg Folic Acid)	80 mcg, 20%	85 mcg, 20%
Vitamin B12	20%	50%

Corn Pops Ingredients

These ingredients collectively provide flavor, texture, and nutritional value to Kellogg’s Corn Pops cereal (U.S. variety). Keep in mind that ingredient lists can vary slightly based on regional or product-specific differences. Use the ingredients listed on the actual cereal box for the most up-to-date information.

1. Milled Corn: Milled corn refers to corn that has been finely ground into a flour-like consistency. It serves as the primary ingredient in Corn Pops and provides the cereal’s base texture and flavor.
2. Sugar: Sugar is added for sweetness in the cereal. It contributes to the characteristic sweet taste that many breakfast cereals have.
3. Corn Syrup: Corn syrup is a sweetener derived from cornstarch. It is often used to enhance the sweetness and texture of cereals, including Corn Pops.
4. Molasses: Molasses is a thick, dark syrup obtained from sugar production. It adds a rich, slightly caramel-like flavor to the cereal and contributes to its sweet taste.
5. Salt: Salt is added to provide a balanced flavor to the sweetness provide by the above ingredients. It enhances the overall taste and helps to accentuate the sweetness.
6. Vegetable Oil (Hydrogenated Coconut, Soybean, and/or Cottonseed): This is a source of fat used in the cereal. Hydrogenated vegetable oils are used to coat the cereal pieces, providing a crisp texture and helping to preserve freshness.
7. Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E) for Freshness: Mixed tocopherols, a form of vitamin E, are used to help preserve the freshness and shelf life of the cereal.
8. Annatto Extract Color: Annatto extract is a natural food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree. It is used to give Corn Pops their characteristic golden-yellow color.
9. Wheat Starch: Wheat starch is added as a thickening agent and to enhance the cereal’s texture. It can help provide a crispy and crunchy texture to the cereal pieces. It adds a small amount of gluten to the cereal.

Vitamins and Minerals (these are typically added to enrich the cereal):

10. Reduced Iron: Iron is added to fortify the cereal and provide a source of this essential mineral.
11. Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and is added to help meet dietary needs for this nutrient.
12. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride): Vitamin B6 is added to support overall nutrition and is an essential nutrient involved in various bodily processes.
13. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is included to meet dietary requirements for this important B-vitamin.
14. Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Hydrochloride): Thiamin, or vitamin B1, is added for nutritional purposes to ensure a balanced diet.
15. Folic Acid: Folic acid is a B-vitamin that is important for various bodily functions, including cell division. It is added to enhance the nutritional value of the cereal.
16. Vitamin D3: Vitamin D3 is included to help meet dietary requirements for this vitamin, which is important for bone health and other bodily functions.
17. Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is essential for various physiological processes, including the formation of red blood cells. It is added to supplement the cereal’s nutritional content.

Corn Pops Dietary Considerations

Is Corn Pops cereal gluten-free?

Corn Pops do contain wheat starch, which is a source of gluten. Therefore, Corn Pops are not gluten-free and may not be suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Is Corn Pops cereal vegan?

No, Corn Pops cereal is not vegan. It contains Vitamin D3 which is made using lanolin, which is extracted from sheep’s wool. Additionally, the refined sugar in the cereal may be processed using bone char or other animal-derived processing aids.

What allergens are a potential concern in Corn Pops?

Kellogg’s lists wheat as the allergen of concern. Be sure to reference the label for the most up-to-date allergen information if avoiding certain ingredients is important to you.

Do Corn Pops have bioengineered food ingredients?

Yes, according Kellogg’s, this cereal contains bioengineered food ingredients.

Corn Pops Mascot

Corn Pops isn’t know for its mascot. In fact, the box we purchased had no mascot featured like you might find with other cereals such as Cocoa Puffs or Trix.

The above being said, the cereal has had its share of mascots through the years. Here is a list of them:

The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok was a Western television show that aired from 1951 to 1958 with Kellogg’s as the shows national sponsor. Naturally, the main character was used as a mascot on a Kellogg’s cereal for the duration of the sponsorship.

Woody Woodpecker first appeared as an animated character in 1940 in short films. His popularity as a cartoon character was established when he first appeared on Corn Pops boxes in the later 1950s.

He’s a prairie dog with a tiny pistol who kept the criminals in their place especially when Corn Pops were involved.

Whippersnapper was a human cowboy that continued on the cereal’s Western theme for almost a decade.

He was a short cowboy with a loud mouth and big yellow hat. He was known for using “big yella” to describe the cereal’s puffed yellow corn pieces.

Poppy was a traveling porcupine who carried around a yellow suitcase with Corn Pops in it. He would introduce the cereal to characters he met during his travels by unveiling it from his suitcase.

It was essentially an upside down face of a real person with a green fake face with horns placed on the guys chin. Sweet Toothasaur was monster-like with a goal of eating up all the Corn Pops. Such a weird concept and thank God this iteration of Corn Pops mascot is apparently gone!

Corn Pops Taglines

• Sugar Pops are tops! (pre-1980s)
• Gotta get… POPS! (1981–1988)
• Poppin’ in my head. (late 1980s, alternating with “Gotta Have My Pops”)
• You’ve gotta catch new Corn Pops! (UK, 1993)
• It’s hard to stop when it’s Pops. (1992–1999)
• Gotta have my Pops. (1988–2000, 2007–present)
• Gotta have Pops. (2007)
• Pops: deliciously random. (2009)
• It’s POPnetic! (present in Canada)

Corn Pops Recipes

You don’t just have to eat your Corn Pops in a cereal bowl. If you scan the ingredient, you’ll find plenty of recipes involving Corn Pops as one of the main components. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Corn Pop Treats – Table For Two
• Kellogg’s Butter Crunch Squares – Food
• Corn Pops Breakfast Bites – While He Was Napping

Sources:
cornpops.com
image credit (Corn Pops cereal Bowl) – Rachel Bush/flickr