A non-profit food watchdog group, Center for Science in The Public Interest, has sued General Mills Inc. for allegedly misleading customers over its Cheerios Protein cereal.  The health advocacy group claims that the cereal maker has exaggerated the health benefits of the new food product.

According to the suit filed in U.S. District Court in Northern California, Cheerios Protein does not contain more protein than regular Cheerios as its marketing ads say. 

"Rather than protein, the principal ingredient that distinguishes Cheerios Protein from Cheerios is sugar," CSPI said in the suit.

Reports from the Star Tribune, reveals that Golden Valley-based General Mills clarified allegation in a press statement saying that Cheerios Protein does contain 18 percent more protein by weight than original Cheerios.

"We don't normally respond to these publicity-seeking lawsuits from CSPI - but we do reject their comparisons," General Mills said. "Cheerios Protein is accurately labeled - and provides a good source of protein in every labeled serving."

More so, Cheerios Protein claims to meet the standard of Food and Drug Administration as a good source of high quality protein, General Mills said.  Meanwhile the regular Cheerios does not meet the FDA requirement to become a good source of protein.

In 2014, Cheerios Protein was launched to ride on the protein trend sweeping the food industry.  It is reported that the cereal has 7 grams of protein per serving while regular Cheerios has 3 grams of protein per serving.  This is based on the "Nutrition Facts" panel printed on each box.

Meanwhile, CSPI blames the difference to a larger serving size as listed on the box for Cheerios Protein.  The serving size for the Cheeros Protein is 55 grams while the regular Cheerios is 28 grams.

General Mills insists that given the difference in the serving size, Cheerios Protein still has 18 percent more protein than regular Cheerios.

More so, the difference in the serving sizes between the two food products was set by FDA regulations according to General Mills.  The FDA determines serving sizes based on weight which in turn will differ based on the density of the cereal.  It is said that Cheerios Protein is much denser kind of cereal.  To get the full serving it should weight 55 grams General Mills states.  However, regular Cheerios is less dense so the full serving comes to 28 grams.

CSPI also claims that Cheerios Protein contains 16 grams more sugar compared to the regular Cheerios.  This is based on the Nutrition Facts box.

Do you thing CSPI has a case against General Mills?  Or do you believe in the company's defence against the accusations?  Let us know your thoughts by leaving your comments below.