The World's Fair

A couple weeks ago, the SCQ published a piece called "What's the Scoop? A Quantitative Analysis of Kellogg's Raisin Bran," which aimed to take a proper look at the nomenclature behind the descriptor of "two scoops."

Anyway, it was a great research orientated piece, fitting for the SCQ given its double nature as being both esoteric and intriguing. For instance, the authors were working on two hypotheses which were as follows:

(A) Scoop size is independent of box size. In other words, the same scoops are used to add raisins to each box, regardless of box size, so that the number of raisins per box is constant.

(B) Scoop size is proportional to box size. In other words, larger scoops are used for the larger boxes so that the number of raisins per ounce of cereal remains constant.

Anyway, observations were made, ultimately resulting in the paper you see at the aforementioned link, with a conclusion that stated:

To achieve truth in advertising and avoid lawsuits, The Kellogg Company should replace its misleading "Two scoops!" slogan with a statement listing both the mean number of scoops per box (presumably 2) and the standard deviation (roughly 0.4).

But even better was a letter the SCQ got yesterday, which went as follows:

Date: Wed Jan 10, 2007 Subject: Two Scoops

Doctors Greg and Elizabeth,

My buddy, knowing that I used to be a contractor for Kellogg (and sort of still am) sent me along a link to your quarterly and latest raisin quandry. Anyway, I used to work in the Lancaster, PA Kellogg plant where they make, among other cereals, Raisin Bran. What I can say is that there are in fact, no scoops. Just some "show" scoops that I saw in cubicles.

The way it's done is that the flakes are on a conveyor and the raisins simply pour on them as they go by. This is done continuously, although when the conveyor stops, sometimes there is a slight increase in raisins because the machine sort of 'bumps' and dumps what's left (from what I can recall.) I'm also pretty sure that there is a weight-checker on the flake belt before the raisins so that the raisins are, in fact, metered on.

I never did check with any of the operators to see how they check the quality as far as raisins/flakes. I know they look at flake quality mainly (they made corn flakes, frosted flakes, Crispix, etc., there as well).

Many workers there did say that they think there are too many raisins in the cereal.

The raisins come from California. And, although I'm sure you've heard this by now, Raisin Bran has more sugar than Frosted Flakes. Thanks, raisins!

Ronald N.

(Alright, science educators - let's try and work this newfound knowledge into your lesson plans).