Dive Brief:

• General Mills filed a patent for a process that can compress or mold calcium and fiber into a pellet shape.
• In the process, a gelatinized starch is used to bind fiber and calcium particles into non-expanded pellets that allow for greater nutritional fortification in ready-to-eat cereals.
• The cereal giant says its process is different from others in that it uses a lower amount of starch to bind the particles, allowing for a greater amount of calcium or fiber to be present in the final product.

Dive Insight:

Existing processes use larger amounts of starch, resulting in lower nutritional value because not as much vitamin or mineral can be incorporated. With this process allowing as much as 80% to 85% calcium or fiber in the pellets, General Mills can offer greater nutritional value in its ready-to-eat cereal range.