Have You Noticed The Rice Krispies Shortage? Here's Why (2024)
Felicia LaLomia
·3 min read
Empty grocery store shelves, especially around major holidays, have become a hallmark of the pandemic. Valentine’s Day was no different for one Twitter user, who’d hoped to whip up some Rice Krispies Treats in celebration. Alas, things didn't work out.
“[I] went to 3 different stores to find the cereal only for the shelves to be wiped clean,” @beckittyytweeted with clear exasperation. “[Tell] me why online I see there's a d*mn SHORTAGE.”
Similar sentiments abound across social media. People in the U.S. and Canada are finding empty cereal aisles and tweetingtheirfrustrationsonline. They all have the same question: Where’d the Rice Krispies go? Here’s what you need to know about the ongoing shortage.
The Kellogg’s Strike That Started It All
Back in October 2021, 1,400 Kellogg workers walked off the job on strike over union negotiations. The strike lasted 71 days until December of 2021, when both sides agreed to a new five-year contract. Because the strike lasted so long, some Kellogg’s products, including Rice Krispies, have been in short supply as the company tries to catch up with production.
An Ingredient Shortage With Bad Timing
The strike isn’t the only reason for the shortage. The pandemic is also to blame: Disrupted supply chains have made it difficult to secure a wide range of food products, and rice—obviously one of the main ingredients in Rice Krispies—is one of them.
In 2021, rice production in the U.S. fell well below the year prior, dropping 16 percent from 2020 and driving up the cost of the 2021 rice crop. This year’s price tag for medium grain rice, the variety used in Rice Krispies, “is projected to exceed last year’s [price] by about 15 percent,” said T. Randall Fortenbery, a professor at the School of Economic Sciences at Washington State University.
Fortenbery also pointed out the increased cost of packaging and material shortages of cardboard and wax paper—a.k.a. the things that make a cereal box—as likely contributing to the Rice Krispies shortage. All of these things have conspired to drive up the price of your favorite cereal—a pinch some consumers are already feeling.
Twitter user @Imkita_N puts the general sentiment succinctly: “I want to faint every time I see the price of original Rice Krispies 🥺🥺🥺.”
When Will It Be Over?
Kellogg’s has responded to these tweets, admitting to a “temporary shortage of Rice Krispies” because of “supply constraints in manufacturing.” The company promises that it’s working as fast as it can to get shelves restocked, but there’s no estimated date for when production will get back to normal. In the meantime, Kellogg’s recommends using the “Where to buy” tool on its website, which indicates if a product is in stock in your area. But to save yourself the trek around town, we recommend calling your local shop directly.
Perhaps Kellogg’s can take cues from its competitor, Post Consumer Brands, which faced a similar issue back in January when a Grape-Nuts shortage prompted an online outcry from die hard fans. About a month later, Post Consumer Brands announced plans to ramp up production to return an adequate supply of boxes to shelves by mid-March.
We can only hope the issue will be sorted out ahead of Easter, so we don’t have a shortage of Mini Egg Rice Krispie Treats. That would be too much to bear!
The strike lasted 71 days until December of 2021, when both sides agreed to a new five-year contract. Because the strike lasted so long, some Kellogg's products, including Rice Krispies, have been in short supply as the company tries to catch up with production.
A labour dispute, supply-chain issues and the pandemic have resulted in a shortage of family favourites such as Kellogg's Rice Krispies and Cornflakes. Bereft breakfast eaters have noticed a distinct lack of the staples on supermarket shelves with many taking to social media to voice their frustrations.
Despite the public's obvious and vocal disgust with the product, Kellogg's decided to stay firm in their decision on replacing the original Rice Krispies with the new Rice Krispies Vanilla, until 2020 when Kellogg's returned the original product to shelves.
With Rice Krispies already having experienced significant delays in production because of the pandemic and the worker strike, Kellogg's is having difficulty keeping up with consumer demand. Only until the 2022 barley crop is ready will Kellogg's be able to bounce back.
The move to the new multi-grain formula in Rice Krispies Vanilla presumably saved Kellogg's money; it could use local grains instead of more expensive imported rice. South Africa is the ninth biggest importer of rice in the world, due to a shortage of local rice crops.
We Recommend. One of the great advantages of Rice Krispies cereal is that it does not contain any trans fats or saturated fats, so it's a viable option if you're trying to avoid these fats. Rice Krispies cereal also happens to be completely cholesterol-free, as per the USDA.
There is wheat listed in the ingredients, but the cereal tastes very similar to Rice Krispies. When you use the original Special K Cereal to make marshmallow cereal treats, they taste and look very similar to a traditional Rice Krispie Treat.
High heat is the prime culprit for rock hard rice krispie treats. → Follow this tip: It will take a few more minutes of cook time, but melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat. You'll be rewarded with delicious, soft and chewy treats!
Once the Rice Krispies hit the cereal bowl and absorb liquid (milk), the moisture content increases and the kernel goes from glassy to rubbery. The pockets of trapped air release as the walls of the kernel are weakened, which in turn break the parts of the structure that are still glassy, forcing the Snap!Crackle!
Kellogg's cited "disappointing sales" as the primary reason for halting the production of Kellogg's Gluten Free Rice Krispies. The company noted that despite the product's niche appeal, it struggled to achieve widespread success in the mass market.
You may think that classic Kellogg's Brand Rice Krispies are gluten-free because rice is a naturally gluten-free grain, but they are made with malt flavoring. The malt is derived from barley which is a gluten-containing grain. Therefore, they are definitely NOT gluten-free!
Whether it's in a bowl for breakfast, or as the star of your favorite recipes, Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal sparks truly special moments that you and your kids will always remember.
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.
Ensuring the cereal is sealed in an airtight container can help extend its crispness for months. Consumers can expect Rice Krispies to last between 8-12 months after the "best by" date with proper storage, although the texture and taste may gradually diminish.
Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
