The Quieter Snap, Crackle and Pop
Read about a cereal recipe change and discuss why companies update products we love.
Written for any B1 learner. Adapt it to make it about your student: their level, their work, their goals.
Introduction
Many of us have a favourite food from childhood. We remember its taste, its smell, or even its sound. Have you ever noticed that a product you loved suddenly tasted different? Today we read about a famous cereal and ask why companies change recipes.
Key Vocabulary
8 wordsLearn these words before reading the article. They will help you understand the text better.
confirmed
Said that something is definitely true or correct.
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iconic
Very famous and representing a particular idea or time.
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texture
The way food feels in your mouth, for example soft, hard or smooth.
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refuse
To say that you will not do or accept something.
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supply
An amount of something that is available to be used.
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maintain
To make something continue at the same level or standard.
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artificial
Not natural, but made by people to copy something natural.
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feedback
Advice, opinions or comments about how good or useful something is.
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Article
Read the article carefully. Take your time to understand the main ideas.
Listen to the article. The sentence being read is highlighted; click any word to hear it.
Kellogg's has confirmed that the famous sound of its Rice Krispies cereal is now quieter. The company recently changed the recipe for Rice Krispies and Coco Pops in the United Kingdom. The cereals are no longer made with whole rice grains. Instead, the company now uses corn flour and rice flour to make the small toasted puffs.
A spokesperson for Kellogg's said keeping the iconic snap, crackle and pop was a big focus when they designed the new recipe. However, the company admits that customers might notice the sound is quieter and does not happen as quickly as before. The sound has been a central part of the brand's marketing since the 1950s.
Many shoppers have complained online. They say the taste and texture are now completely different. Some parents have reported that their children refuse to eat the new version. One customer said she had eaten Rice Krispies every day for years and immediately noticed the change. She added that the snapping sound when you add milk is missing.
Kellogg's explained that the recipe changed because of difficult weather conditions. Extreme weather in Spain in 2022 and 2023 reduced the supply of the types of rice the company uses. The firm said the new recipe helps maintain consistent quality as weather events push up ingredient prices. The company added that the cereals still contain no artificial colours or flavours, and the nutritional benefits remain the same. However, the new packaging now includes a warning that the product contains wheat gluten.
Recipe changes are often hard for big brands. In the past, chocolate makers have faced accusations of reducing cocoa content. When a Scottish drink reduced its sugar in 2018, fans bought large amounts of the old version to keep at home. Kellogg's said it appreciates customer feedback and will continue to look for ways to improve its products.
Comprehension Questions
Answer these questions to check your understanding of the article.
- 1What sound has become quieter in the new Rice Krispies?
- 2What two flours are now used instead of whole rice grains?
- 3Why did Kellogg's change the recipe, according to the article?
- 4What did some parents say their children are doing with the new cereal?
- 5What new warning now appears on the cereal packaging?
- 6What did fans of a Scottish drink do when its recipe changed in 2018?
Further Discussion
Discuss these questions about the topic and your personal experiences.
- 1Do you have a favourite food product from your childhood? Does it still taste the same today?
- 2What is more important to you when you buy food: the taste, the price, or the ingredients?
- 3Can you think of a product in your country that changed its recipe? How did people react?
- 4If a company changes a product you love, do you usually complain, or do you try to accept it?
- 5In your opinion, should companies always listen to customer complaints, or should they make their own decisions?
- 6Do you think extreme weather has changed the price or availability of any food in your town recently?
Wrap-up & Reflection
Today we discussed a recipe change at a famous cereal company and learned words like 'iconic', 'texture' and 'feedback'. We also thought about why companies update products and how customers react. Think about one product you use regularly. If the company changed it tomorrow, what would you miss the most?
Make it about your student
Same story, rewritten at your student's level, with discussion questions about their job, goals and weak spots. The vocabulary stays from the news, so they learn words outside their usual topics.
Sources
LinguaFlow wrote this article for language learners from facts reported by the sources below. Read them for the full story.