Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach
Post Fruit Flavor Sweetened Rice Cereal: Food Integrity analysis
Quick answer
Lower integrity
Post fruit flavor sweetened rice cereal received a Food Integrity Score of 38 out of 100 (lower integrity). This reflects ultra-processed and high additive load. This is a heavily formulated, colored, and fortified cereal, with the rice doing only a small part of the work. It is better as an occasional treat than an everyday breakfast, mainly because of the artificial colors, synthetic preservatives, added sugar, and vague flavor system. The label is also a bit crowded with vitamin and mineral additions, which signals a formulated product rather than a simple grain food. Main considerations include artificial colors red 40, yellow 6, yellow 5, and blue 1, synthetic preservatives bht and bha, and vague natural and artificial flavor system. Simpler options: Look for plain or unsweetened cereals without artificial colors or synthetic preservatives; choose rolled oats or plain puffed grains and add your own fruit or sweetener.
Food Integrity Score 38/100
What stood out on the label?
- Ultra-processed
- High additive load
- Transparency: Medium
What to watch?
- Artificial colors Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Blue 1
- Synthetic preservatives BHT and BHA
- Vague natural and artificial flavor system
Simpler options to consider
- Look for plain or unsweetened cereals without artificial colors or synthetic preservatives
- Choose rolled oats or plain puffed grains and add your own fruit or sweetener
You are viewing ingredients and processing. Switch to Longevity for nutrition and longer-term eating pattern fit.
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Post Fruit Flavor Sweetened Rice Cereal
- Brand
- Post
- Category
- Breakfast & Cereal (source: Cereal)
- GTIN / UPC
00884912385871- Serving size
- 36 g (1 cup)
- Source data — ingredients
- Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
- Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
- Data last verified
Food Integrity results
Fruit Flavor Sweetened Rice Cereal
Post
Lower integrity
Warning Signs
Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are artificial colors, and BHT and BHA are synthetic preservatives on this label.
Consider This
Sugar, canola and/or soybean oil, and natural and artificial flavor make this read like a factory-formulated cereal rather than a simple grain.
Good Substitutes
Plain oats, unsweetened puffed rice, or plain rice cereal with fresh fruit and a little honey gives you a cleaner, more recognizable breakfast.
Overall Assessment
Lower integrityThis is a heavily formulated, colored, and fortified cereal, with the rice doing only a small part of the work. It is better as an occasional treat than an everyday breakfast, mainly because of the artificial colors, synthetic preservatives, added sugar, and vague flavor system. The label is also a bit crowded with vitamin and mineral additions, which signals a formulated product rather than a simple grain food.
Key Highlights
What stood out
- Artificial colors Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Blue 1
- Synthetic preservatives BHT and BHA
- Vague natural and artificial flavor system
Family Watchlist
Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.
- Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1 — Artificial colors many users prefer to avoid.
- BHT and BHA — Synthetic preservatives.
- Natural and artificial flavor — Vague flavor system including artificial inputs.
- Canola and/or soybean oil — Refined seed oil with unspecified source.
- Sugar — Refined sweetener.
Highest concern ingredients
- Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1 (8/10) — Artificial color additives.
- BHT and BHA (8/10) — Synthetic preservatives.
- Natural and artificial flavor (7/10) — Vague flavor system with artificial inputs.
Better choice tips
- Look for plain or unsweetened cereals without artificial colors or synthetic preservatives.
- Choose rolled oats or plain puffed grains and add your own fruit or sweetener.
Ingredients
Ingredient list
RICE, SUGAR, CANOLA AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL, SALT, CONTAINS 1% OR LESS OF: NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, RED 40, YELLOW 6, YELLOW 5, BLUE 1, TUMERIC OLEORESIN (COLOR). BHT AND BHA ADDED TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS. VITAMINS AND MINERALS: SODIUM ASCORBATE AND ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), REDUCED IRON, ZINC OXIDE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), THIAMIN MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN D3, VITAMIN B12.
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.
Red 40Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Synthetic color many users prefer to avoid.
Additional note
Artificial color additive.
Family watchlist
Artificial color many users want to flag.
Yellow 6Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Synthetic color many users prefer to avoid.
Additional note
Artificial color additive.
Family watchlist
Artificial color many users want to flag.
Yellow 5Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Synthetic color many users prefer to avoid.
Additional note
Artificial color additive.
Family watchlist
Artificial color many users want to flag.
Blue 1Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Synthetic color many users prefer to avoid.
Additional note
Artificial color additive.
Family watchlist
Artificial color many users want to flag.
View all 22 ingredient assessments
BHT and BHAConcern 8/10 — Higher concernPreservativeWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Preservative
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Synthetic preservatives many users want to track.
Additional note
Synthetic preservatives added for freshness.
Family watchlist
Synthetic preservatives many users want to flag.
Natural and artificial flavorConcern 7/10 — Higher concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term
What this is
Vague ingredient
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Vague flavor blends hide specific inputs and include artificial components.
Additional note
Vague flavor system mixing natural and artificial inputs.
Family watchlist
Vague flavor system that includes artificial inputs.
Canola and/or soybean oilConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist · Vague label term
What this is
Refined oil
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Refined seed oils are a common watchlist item; source is vague.
Additional note
Refined seed oil, unspecified which one.
Family watchlist
Refined seed oil, with unclear which oil is used.
SugarConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernSweetenerWatchlist
What this is
Sweetener
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Refined sugar is a common family watchlist item.
Additional note
Refined sweetener adds sugar density.
Family watchlist
Refined sweetener many users want to track.
Turmeric oleoresin (color)Concern 4/10 — Mild concernColor additiveAdditive
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Concentrated color extract used for appearance.
Additional note
Plant-derived color extract, but processed.
Zinc oxideConcern 3/10 — Mild concernMineral fortificantWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Mineral fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Mineral form also commonly found in non-food uses.
Additional note
Mineral fortificant, also used in non-food applications.
Family watchlist
Mineral also used in non-food applications.
Sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added nutrient fortification, mild formulation signal.
Additional note
Fortification form of vitamin C.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added nutrient fortification.
Additional note
Fortification form of niacin.
Reduced ironConcern 2/10 — Very low concernMineral fortificantAdditive
What this is
Mineral fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added mineral fortification.
Additional note
Mineral fortification.
Vitamin A palmitateConcern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added nutrient fortification.
Additional note
Fortification form of vitamin A.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added nutrient fortification.
Additional note
Fortification form of vitamin B6.
Thiamin mononitrate (vitamin B1)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added nutrient fortification.
Additional note
Fortification form of vitamin B1.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added nutrient fortification.
Additional note
Fortification form of vitamin B2.
Folic acidConcern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Synthetic vitamin form used for fortification.
Additional note
Synthetic form of folate used for fortification.
Vitamin D3Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added nutrient fortification.
Additional note
Fortification form of vitamin D.
Vitamin B12Concern 2/10 — Very low concernVitamin fortificantAdditive
What this is
Vitamin fortificant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Added nutrient fortification.
Additional note
Fortification form of vitamin B12.
RiceConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food
What this is
Simple food
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Main base ingredient, fairly recognizable.
Additional note
Base grain, but listed as a refined cereal base.
SaltConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food
What this is
Simple food
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Basic seasoning with little concern.
Additional note
Simple seasoning.
This Food Integrity score estimates how close a food appears to a simple, recognizable ingredient profile. It is not a medical safety rating. Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
How this product may fit different goals
The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.
Low-Spike Stability
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar on watchlist (see Food Integrity)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
GLP-1 Eating Support
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar". See ingredients for details.)
Low Sugar Lifestyle
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar on watchlist (see Food Integrity)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Appetite & Portion Awareness
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar". See ingredients for details.)
Low-Carb Lifestyle
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low-Carb Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "rice", "sugar". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Keto-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Keto-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "rice", "sugar". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Minimally Processed Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher processing level (Ultra-processed)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Whole-Food Focused Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Whole-Food Focused Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher processing level (Ultra-processed)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher processing level (Ultra-processed)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Paleo-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Paleo-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Grain/legume ingredients (Mentions "rice". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Heart-Healthy Eating
NeutralMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Athletic Fueling
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Athletic Fueling, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Workout Recovery
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Workout Recovery, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Strength & Protein Focus
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Strength & Protein Focus, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Vegetarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Vegan
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegan, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Plant-Based
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Pescatarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Pescatarian, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Low Gluten Eating
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low Gluten Eating, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Mediterranean-Style Eating
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Mediterranean-Style Eating, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Healthy Fat Focus
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Healthy Fat Focus, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
See how this product fits your goals
Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.
Understanding the Food Integrity analysis
What the Food Integrity analysis evaluates
The Food Integrity analysis focuses on how a packaged food is formulated and made. It examines processing level, ingredient quality, additives, oils, sweeteners, purity cues, and how clearly a label communicates what is in the product. The Food Integrity Score summarizes that formulation and transparency picture on a 0–100 scale. It is not a full nutrient report and it is not a personalized meal plan.
Why processing, ingredients, and transparency matter
Processing level and ingredient quality shape what you are actually eating beyond calories on the label. Additives, industrial oils, and intense sweeteners can change how clean or heavily engineered a product feels, even when the front of pack looks wholesome. Purity and transparency matter because incomplete or marketing-heavy labeling can hide tradeoffs that only show up when the full ingredient list is reviewed carefully.
Who may prioritize Food Integrity
Some people care mainly about Food Integrity because their dietary goals center on formulation rather than macros alone. Examples include checking vegetarian or vegan suitability, preferring simpler ingredient sources, avoiding certain additives or sweeteners, watching oil choices, or preferring less processed options. For those priorities, the Food Integrity Score can be the more practical first read.
How Food Integrity differs from Longevity
Food Integrity is the focused analysis of processing, ingredients, additives, purity, and transparency. Longevity is the broader analysis of nutritional composition, metabolic and dietary characteristics, processing, and ingredient quality together. Favorable nutrition values do not necessarily mean strong Food Integrity: a product can look balanced on macros yet still rely on heavy processing or additives that the Food Integrity analysis flags in more detail.
Why the two analyses overlap—and why to review Longevity too
The analyses overlap intentionally. Food Integrity–related characteristics contribute to Longevity, and Longevity still benefits from the same ingredient-quality lens. They are not competing verdicts; they answer different questions at different depths. Reviewing the Longevity analysis can add information about nutritional composition, metabolic characteristics, and dietary balance that Food Integrity alone does not emphasize. Looking at both usually gives the most complete understanding of tradeoffs.
Common questions about this product
Is Post Fruit Flavor Sweetened Rice Cereal highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Ultra-processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.
Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?
Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.
How much fiber is in one serving?
Post Fruit Flavor Sweetened Rice Cereal shows about 0g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Post Fruit Flavor Sweetened Rice Cereal: 12g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include Added sugar. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Fortified with several vitamins and minerals; Low saturated fat per serving.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Sugar is a top ingredient; 12g sugar per serving; Multiple artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5/6, Blue 1); BHT and BHA preservatives; refined rice base with almost no fiber.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same breakfast & cereal differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.
Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
- Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
- How the Longevity Score is calculated
- How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
- Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
- Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
- Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information
Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
See how this item lines up with your goals
Healthy Food Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.
Also available in the app
