Consumer Affairs: Breakfast cereals just a lot of puff

Breakfast cereal makers have been accused of misleading consumers and wasting resources after a survey revealed packets containing up to 60 per cent air. Only eight out of 113 packets of well-known cereals scrutinised by trading standards officers were more than three-quarters full. Eight cereals did not even come up to the halfway mark.

In the survey, conducted by Staffordshire Trading Standards Department, Sainsbury's Maple & Pecan Crisp cereal came bottom, with only 40 per cent of the box full. High-scoring packets included Morrisons Frosted Flakes , 84 per cent full, and Kellogg's Frosties at 83 per cent full.