Post frequently asked questions

Post Consumer Brands is a business unit of Post Holdings Inc., formed from the combination of Post Foods and MOM Brands in May 2015.

Post Consumer Brands in headquartered in Lakeville, Minnesota.

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Unfortunately, for both safety and security reasons, we are unable to offer plant tours. To get a sneak peek inside our manufacturing facilities, check out our video page.

Each year, Post Consumer Brands receives requests for donations of products and financial support. While we would like to contribute to every worthy cause, our funding is limited to organizations that support the interests of children and families in the communities where our employees work and live.

Post Consumer Brands does not fulfill individual requests for product donations.

We have locations across the country, and our opportunities change often, but if you are willing to work hard and want to feel free to be your best, find your next opportunity.

Post Consumer Brands supports Second Harvest Heartland, the Greater Twin Cities United Way, Our Military Kids, the Post Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan, the Better Together Foundation, and dozens of local nonprofits and food banks in the communities where we live and work.

We strive to conduct business in a sustainable and responsible manner. We seek to do business with suppliers who share our commitment to sustainable business practices, including food safety, environmental stewardship, the health and safety of employees, ethical business practices, and supporting those in need. Read our Supplier Code of Conduct for more information.

We believe it’s our responsibility to help make the world a better place, and we do this through our commitment to doing business the right way and investing in efforts to create positive change for people and our communities. We focus our efforts on empowering our employees, customers and consumers, strengthening our local communities, and protecting our natural resources and the environment. Learn more about corporate social responsibility at Post Consumer Brands.

Yes, all Post Consumer Brands paperboard cartons are recyclable. Thank you for doing your part to care for our environment.

Half of the fat in peanut butter is made up of oleic acid. This is a monounsaturated fat – a healthy fat that is liquid at room temperature and begins to harden when chilled. Peanut butter also contains linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid.

Always pay attention to the serving size listed on the peanut butter packaging! Since peanut butter is high in fat, it is also high in calories.

Many peanut butters contain approximately 20% carbohydrates.

Peanut butter includes about 25% of plant-based protein.

While the process for making peanut butter has become more automated and efficient over the last century, it has changed very little. Here are the basic steps to making peanut butter:

1. Raw peanuts are delivered to the manufacturing facility, where they are inspected for quality assurance.
2. The peanuts pass through a special oven that roasts them to develop extra nutty flavor.
3. When the peanuts reach their optimum flavor and color, the roasting process is stopped by cooling them quickly with fan-circulated air.
4. A blancher removes the outer skin from the peanuts, after which they are split, cleaned, and sorted.
5. The prepared peanuts are ground in two stages to avoid generating too much heat, which can reduce flavor quality. The first stage reduces them to a chunky paste. The second stage incorporates additional ingredients—such as sugar and salt—and reduces the peanuts to the familiar, smooth peanut butter texture before final packaging.

A two-tablespoon serving of peanut butter contains about:

Calories: 200
Protein: 8 grams
Fat: 16 grams
Carbohydrates: 7 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Sugar: 3 grams

It is always important to check the package label and nutrition facts panel of the peanut butter for the most accurate details. Nutrition facts may vary by product type and brand.

Yes, oatmeal is considered a cereal! Oats are a type of cereal grain; however, oatmeal does differ from hot cereal – a porridge made with any type of grain. Check out some of our tasty oatmeal varieties from Better Oats® and hot cereal options from Malt-O-Meal® Hot and Farina Mills®!

Grains are seeds of grasses grown for food, such as wheat, rice, cornmeal, barley, and oats, and contain a variety of nutrients. Post® products, such as Raisin Bran cereal and Great Grains® cereal, are made with delicious grains!

Oatmeal was invented as far back as 32,000 years ago. To this date, who invented oatmeal is unknown!

Post® cereals come in a variety of package sizes. The number of cups or servings in one cereal box varies by product. You can see the number of servings in a product by reading the top of the nutrition label printed on the package. Learn more about reading our nutrition labels.

Cereal serving sizes vary by product. You can find a product’s specific serving size by reading the top of the nutrition label printed on the package. Learn more about reading our nutrition labels.

Post has introduced a variety of unique cereals and snacks to the industry. One of Post’s newest cereal brands, Sweet Dreams™, is the first cereal created to support a healthy sleep routine. Other exciting cereal innovations include Honey Bunches of Oats Granola Chips, your favorite flavors of Honey Bunches of Oats granola in a snackable, mess-free form, and Fruity PEBBLES™ Crisps – a scrumptious cereal snack that makes for the perfect on-the-go treat!

Post has also driven exciting cereal industry innovations outside the bowl. C.W. Post was the first person to use product sampling and coupons to market cereal products. PEBBLES™ was the first breakfast cereal to license a cartoon character as a mascot!

Post was the first cereal company to introduce bagged cereal, Malt-O-Meal® cereal‘s iconic packaging. In addition, Post is committed to developing sustainable packaging that protects our environment and reduces waste. By 2025, 100% of Post cereal packaging will be recyclable.

The first ready-to-eat cereal was invented in 1863. Post made its first breakfast cereal in 1895.

Cereal is a popular American breakfast staple made from grains like wheat, oats, rice, or corn. Grains are poured into a hopper or mixing kettle, followed by adding delicious flavors, vitamins, and extra ingredients like nuts, fruits, or marshmallows. Cereal is most commonly enjoyed by the bowl with dairy or non-dairy milk, but also makes a great mid-day snack and is a secret ingredient in many delicious recipes.

Learn more about how cereal is made, its nutritional information and benefits, and more by viewing our Cereal Nutrition and Production Information page.

BHT is an antioxidant that protects the freshness and flavor of the cereal.

Food safety is our highest priority. Products containing BHA and BHT have been recognized as safe by the FDA and Health Canada. Very small amounts of BHA/BHT are added to some of our products or carton liners as a preservative. BHA and BHT are always labeled clearly on all products that contain them. We understand that there are many factors you may consider when purchasing a product. We are committed to providing families with a variety of products to meet their dietary preferences.

Post Consumer Brands uses seven different technologies to make breakfast cereal — bakery, milled and flaked, direct expansion, shredded, sheeted, gun puffed and hot. Watch our How Cereal is Made video series to explore our products’ journey from field to bowl.

To ensure your Post or Malt-O-Meal product stays fresh, store it in a cool, dry place and fold down the bag or use the zipper to close the packaging to limit air exposure.

C.W. Post created the first Post cereal products in 1895.

You can search for current gluten-free products by using our product filter. Post Consumer Brands manufacturing plants follow strict food safety protocols, including good manufacturing practices, cleaning procedures, and separation of ingredients. We test our products to ensure that our gluten-free products meet the FDA definition and standard for the gluten-free label.

Read the ingredient statement each time you purchase a product to ensure no changes have occurred. Please look for the ‘Gluten Free’ burst on packages at your favorite stores.

Post Consumer Brands exists today thanks to two innovators who never met but had one thing in common: a vision that changed the cereal industry and paved the way to make breakfast better. C.W. Post founded the Postum Cereal Company in 1895 and John Campbell Founded the Malt-O-Meal^® Company in 1919. These two companies formed Post Consumer Brands in 2015. Discover Post’s timeline on our history page.

Grape-Nuts^® cereal was one of the first ready-to-eat cereals created by C.W. Post in 1897.

You can find Post cereals in most major retailers where groceries are found. Use our product locator to find Post cereal in a store near you.

Use our cereal and product search page to find Post products that contain whole grains.

Most of our breakfast cereal products are vegetarian, excluding those containing gelatin, and many may be considered vegan, but not necessarily labeled this way. Please refer to the ingredients list on the Nutrition Facts Panel for the most up-to-date information.

Most of our breakfast cereal products are vegetarian, excluding those containing gelatin, and many may be considered vegan, but not necessarily labeled this way. Please refer to the ingredients list on the Nutrition Facts Panel for the most up-to-date information. To be certain a Post® cereal is vegan, check its packaging for a label.

Here are some common animal-derived ingredients to look for:

• Gelatin
• Honey
• Dairy
• Vitamin D3

We understand and share the concerns expressed by consumers who are affected by soy allergies. Food-allergic consumers should rely on our package ingredient labels for the most accurate information on a product. If a product contains any soy, it will be clearly listed in bold print immediately following the ingredient declaration.

We understand and share the concerns expressed by consumers who are affected by nut allergies. Food-allergic consumers should rely on our package ingredient labels for the most accurate information on a product. If a product contains any tree nuts or peanuts, it will be clearly listed in bold print immediately following the ingredient declaration.

Our most popular cereal varieties include Honey Bunches of Oats^® cereal and PEBBLES™ cereal. Find out more on the cereal and product search page.

Hot cereal is primarily grains boiled in water or milk. Our hot cereal products include Better Oats^® Instant Oatmeal, Malt-O-Meal^® Hot Cereal, CoCo Wheats^® Hot Cereal, and Farina Mills^® Cereal.

Fortified cereal contains added vitamins and minerals, in addition to any naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.

Post Consumer Brands has a broad portfolio of products spanning all segments of the category — from iconic household name brands, like Fruity PEBBLES™ cereal and Honey Bunches of Oats^® cereal, and value ready-to-eat cereals, like Malt-O-Meal^® cereal varieties, to natural/organic and hot cereal varieties. Find all our products on our brands page.

Use our cereal and product search page to find Post products that contain a good source of fiber or an excellent source of fiber.

Our current most popular recipes are:

• Grape-Nuts® Hot
• Bran Flakes Muffins
• Grape-Nuts® Cookies

We understand and share the concerns expressed by consumers who are affected by food allergies. Food- allergic consumers should rely on our package ingredient labels for the most accurate information on a product. If a product contains any of the FDA major nine allergens (eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame, or wheat), it will be clearly listed in bold print immediately following the ingredient declaration.

Many of our cereal products are Kosher certified.

Additionally, if the product you’re interested in is Kosher certified, its packaging will reflect its certification status and category. Kosher certifications may change over time, so the best way to determine a product’s Kosher status is to look at the front of the package. Our product packages will always reflect the most current information.

Yes, it is safe, but since the flavor will change as the product ages, we recommend that you purchase a new package.

All Post Consumer Brands products have a code (or “Best When Used By”) date on the package. For example, if the code date reads “MAR 03 22,” the corresponding “Use By” date is March 3, 2022. The product should be enjoyed by this date.

By referring to the Best When Used By date you can be sure the product you’ve chosen is at peak freshness at the time of purchase and for a reasonable period of time thereafter, when stored unopened in a cool, dry place.

Don’t see the brand and flavor combination you were looking for? View a list of our discontinued products.

Call or write to the manager at your favorite grocery store and request that they carry Post Consumer Brands products.

While we offer coupons periodically on our websites and through promotional activities, offers are not unlimited and only available while supplies last.

Our primary method of offering consumers increased value is to keep our products at everyday low prices. Check with your local stores for additional offers or special discounts. We hope you continue to enjoy the everyday savings and quality of our products.

Post Consumer Brands makes the following pet food brands:
– Rachael Ray® Nutrish®
– Nature’s Recipe®
– 9Lives®
– Gravy Train®
– Kibbles ‘N Bits®
– Pounce® Treats

Post Consumer Brands introduced pet parent-approved pet food brands to its product portfolio in April 2023.

Our beloved dog and cat foods are made at primarily at facilities in Kansas and Pennsylvania.

Our pet food products are regularly tested to ensure safety and quality, and meet the applicable standards and specifications of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Our Quality Assurance Program is based upon standards compliant with the Global Food Safety Initiative.

In addition, we prioritize using high quality, carefully chosen ingredients. Each of our trusted ingredient suppliers complete rigorous testing.

Pet parents can feel confident feeding our pet food brands to their dogs and cats.

While food allergies are extremely rare in cats, they can still occur. Signs may include diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, watery eyes and puffiness around the lips, eyes, nose and ears. If your cat has any of these symptoms, consult with your vet right away.

Always check with your vet for an underlying health issue that may be affecting your cat’s appetite. If nothing is physically wrong with your cat, it’s most likely a preference issue.

Cats can be picky! They may get bored of a food they used to like. Post Consumer Brands makes cat foods with a variety of flavors and textures to help you mix things up.

You can also try moving your cat’s bowl or dish to a more quiet and out-of-the-way location where your cat can more easily see you. Putting a toy in your cat’s food bowl may also help keep his or her interest and make eating an entertaining activity.

Feel free to treat your cat daily, unless instructed otherwise by your vet. Cat treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily diet. When you feed your cat treats, make sure to adjust their main meal amount to avoid calorie overload.

It’s important not to “free feed” cats that tend to over eat (“Free feeding” refers to filling up a bowl and letting your cat eat as he/she pleases.) We recommend splitting up your cat’s daily food allowance into two or three servings a day.

If your cat tends to eat too fast, especially if it makes him or her sick, a puzzle feeder can encourage a slower eating pace. Your cat won’t be able to rush and will be more likely to notice when he or she is full.

Feeding instructions on our cat food packaging and product pages will give you an idea of how often to feed your cat. However, always consult with your vet on recommended feeding schedules specific to your cat’s needs. Some cats prefer to eat once or twice a day, while others prefer to graze on kibble throughout the day.

If you serve dry food, it’s safe to serve a full day’s worth at once and leave it out for grazing. However, if you serve wet food, it should not sit out. Throw away any wet food your cat doesn’t finish within a few minutes or so of serving. Always use a fresh bowl or plate at every feeding.

No. Cats are not built for the vegetarian lifestyle. Cats are “obligate carnivores” as some of the nutrients needed in their diet can only be sourced from other animals.

A very small amount of some human foods every now and then probably won’t hurt, though it’s crucial to be careful and always consult with your vet. Foods such as garlic, onions, grapes, and chocolate are dangerous to cats. When giving your cat human food, stick with meats and vegetables. Never serve your cat any raw or spoiled meat, or any other human food that you wouldn’t eat yourself.

Be careful not to offer table food too often. It could throw off the balance of your cat’s nutrient intake. The excess calories can also lead to obesity over time, which is a widespread problem among pets and can cause other major health issues.

If your cat sneaks a small bite of your dog’s food, it’s typically not a big deal. However, cat and dog nutrition are very different, so dog food should never be used as a substitute for cat food.

Nutritional requirements for cats are not the same as those for dogs. Cats need certain nutrients that dogs don’t, and different levels of the nutrients dogs do need. There are also ingredients in some dog foods that may not be ideal for cats to ingest.

Cow milk is not a natural part of cat nutrition for both kittens and adults. Young kittens should be given a kitten milk replacement instead of cow milk. Unless your adult cat has been drinking milk consistently since kittenhood, he or she has likely become lactose intolerant. It’s best to avoid giving adult cats a significant amount of milk. The consequences may make your cat uncomfortable and won’t be so pleasant for you, either.

Place your cat’s bowls in a clean, quiet place where there’s not a lot of foot traffic. If your cat is skittish, avoid placing the bowl right up against a wall. Ensuring your cat is able to look at you while he or she eats may help him or her feel more secure. Additionally, consider the size of your cat’s bowls. Make sure the bowl doesn’t inhibit his or her whiskers, as some cats don’t like them touching the bowl.

Animal by-products are organ meats like the liver, kidneys and lungs. The term “by-products” might sound unappetizing to humans; however, they are highly nutritious and a valuable part of a cat’s natural diet.

No. In fact, synthetic nutrients can be just as good for your cat as their natural counterparts, and are typically more shelf stable.

Many natural nutrients degrade quickly; depending on how the food is prepared and stored, the nutrients may have already disappeared from the food by the time you feed your cat. Therefore, the food needs to include synthetic versions of those nutrients to help avoid a nutrient deficiency.

Complete cat nutrition includes a variety of nutrients that are provided through several combinations of ingredients.
Every cat needs the following nutrients:

• Amino acids (make up protein, listed on cat food packages as “crude protein”)
  • Arginine
  • Histidine
  • Isoleucine
  • Leucine
  • Lysine
  • Methionine + cystine
  • Methionine
  • Phenylalanine + tyrosine
  • Phenylalanine
  • Threonine
  • Tryptophan
  • Valine
• Fatty acids (listed on cat food packages as “crude fat”)
  • Linoleic acid
  • Arachidonic acid
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
• Minerals
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Chloride
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Copper
  • Manganese
  • Zinc
  • Iodine
  • Selenium (sometimes in the form of sodium selenite)
• Vitamins & other nutrients
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K (only required in high-fish diets)
  • Thiamine (vitamin B1)
  • Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
  • Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
  • Niacin (vitamin B3)
  • Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
  • Folic acid (vitamin B9)
  • Biotin (vitamin B7)
  • Vitamin B12
  • Choline
  • Taurine

Kittens and pregnant or lactating cats need different levels of the nutrients listed above, as well as the following additional nutrients, which should be included in any formula labeled “for all life stages”:

• Additional fatty acids
  • Alpha-linolenic acid
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA)”

If a cat food is labeled with “complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats,” that means it contains the right amount of all the nutrients most adult cats need. In other words, if you feed your adult cat the proper amount of that food and nothing else, your cat won’t miss out on any vital nutrients or have too much of any nutrients.

If you have a kitten, or if your cat is pregnant or lactating, he or she needs additional nutrients. Look for a formula that offers complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages, including pregnant or nursing cats.

The main difference between wet and dry cat food is the moisture content. If your cat has trouble staying hydrated, increased moisture or “water” content can benefit your cat.

Wet food is typically denser in certain nutrients, including protein and fat. However, your cat can get all the nutrients he or she needs from a diet of either wet or dry food, or a combination of both.

Dry food can be more convenient for cat owners, and the crunchy texture of kibble can help clean your cat’s teeth to help support healthy teeth and gums.

The shelf life of Post Consumer Brands dog food products is based on the date of production. The “Best if Used By” date is always included on product packaging.

Dog food requirements vary depending upon breed, size, age, level of activity and environment. Always check with your vet to determine the daily recommended amount of kibble or wet food based on your dog’s needs. For feeding instructions specific to Post Consumer Brands® dog food brands, please reference the back of the packaging for unique product feeding information.

When making changes to your dog’s diet, new foods should be introduced gradually to allow your dog to become accustomed. For a period of 7 – 10 days, substitute small amounts of the new food for the old food, gradually increasing the amount of the new food while decreasing the old food.