Our packaging has changed, but we haven't.

Posted by Kyla on November 23rd, 2011 under cereal, company, design, package.

You’ll be seeing a different side of us on shelf, but we can assure you that we’re as family-run and tasty as ever! Your favorites haven’t changed a bit either (even though the cereal boxes are a little bit slimmer to reduce waste, there’s still the same amount of tasty product inside).

The new look was inspired by your comments, and designed to help you find your way through the cereal aisle, showcase the nutritional benefits, and highlight the yummy ingredients inside!

Because we are a sustainably focused company, we don’t want to waste any existing packaging in this transition. As a result, no old packaging is being pulled off the shelves. Once the current stock runs out, it will be replaced with the same product – only in a newly designed box. This means that for the next little while, you may see both old and new packaging simultaneously.

We apologize for any confusion this may cause and thank you in advance for your patience as we move towards a full line of products that finally looks like the family it is!

As always, we welcome your feedback – good or bad we want to hear it.

The cereal has changed, the

Submitted by Don't like love... on May 2, 2012 - 12:48.

The cereal has changed, the texture is different… I am pretty sure it changed when the packaging went to the bag and not the box.. Why would a company deny this when it is so obvious when u eat it ? Please go back to the box !

Hi there - Thank you for

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:29.

Hi there - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

Not Loving the new Hemp Plus

Submitted by rubyslippers on April 20, 2012 - 11:21.

Not Loving the new Hemp Plus Packaging. I’m at a loss as to what about the above reference (by Mirza) is made. The smaller box that was on the shelf at the end of 2011 had a nice green background but it had a spoon of cereal on it. Now the box does have a bowl of cereal but it’s beyond blasé — beige background with block lettering and the Nature’s Path emblem and a bowl of popcorn. Boring. So boring as it is now that it took me a while to find the cereal again. Is beige supposed to signify healthy? The back of the box is just as bad. Beige sky over a beige wheat field OK. This is not big deal, but not a smart marketing choice or are you cutting costs. Less colors equals less expense? I’m fine with the smaller box. But if I wasn’t familiar with the cereal beforehand I would never have bought it from looking at the box. Nothing there to catch my eye nor to say that it’s tasty. I don’t equate tasty with beige. I equate it with sawdust and straw, of which most organic cereals seems to taste like. You know what else. I don’t even reach for the box now that it’s in my pantry. Probably won’t remember to buy again.

Hi There - Thanks for getting

Submitted by Itziar on May 16, 2012 - 10:07.

Hi There - Thanks for getting in touch with us and letting us know what you think about our new packaging. The new look was designed to help you find your way in the cereal aisle and to better communicate the nutritional benefits and yummy ingredients inside the box. We’re sorry to hear you are disappointed with the new look of this product; our consumers’ comments are important to us, therefore, I have forwarded your comment to the Brand Manager. Take care, Itziar, Nature’s Path Team

When I got my recent shipment

Submitted by leilamh on April 20, 2012 - 07:35.

When I got my recent shipment from Amazon of Organic Pumpkin Flax Plus Granola, I didn’t recognize the packaging, so I compared the nutritional information to my old package. The new package says a serving has 10g of fat, and the old one says 5g. Was the old packaging wrong? Is the new packaging wrong? Or has the cereal changed? I’m really not interested in a bowl of cereal with 10g of fat, even if it’s “good” fat.

Hi Leila - Thanks for taking

Submitted by Itziar on May 14, 2012 - 10:38.

Hi Leila - Thanks for taking the time to ask us your question. As we only use organic ingredients in our products, the nutrition will fluctuate naturally depending on various factors, such as crop conditions, climate, etc. Therefore, the nutrition on the boxes is an average of the testing conducted -with an allowable 20% leeway to allow for the ingredient nutrition variation. In order to make sure our nutrition values remain accurate over time, we retest products periodically. The nutritional information on your box of Organic Pumpkin Flax Granola is correct at 10g of fat per serving. All the best, Itziar

My family has always enjoyed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 17, 2012 - 00:38.

My family has always enjoyed Nature’s Path cereals at breakfast, especially Mesa Sunrise. However, the new recipe with small thin flat flakes tastes completely different and none of us like it. Why have you changed it and will you go back to the old version? (since it’s not just us making this comment).

Hi there - Thank you for

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:27.

Tried to add to comments

Submitted by btarrh on April 26, 2012 - 06:10.

Tried to add to comments about Mesa Sunrise changes earlier, but spam filters won’t accept it. All the folks who are noting the cereal’s change in taste not just packaging are absolutely right. Cardboard, stale, bran-like all describe the new flavor. Please let your loyal customers know whether you can correct this problem.

Hello - Thank you for taking

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:27.

Hello - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

The Mesa Sunrise cereal HAS

Submitted by K (not verified) on April 10, 2012 - 13:42.

The Mesa Sunrise cereal HAS changed, along with the packaging - it now tastes awful, stale and bland, and I won’t be buying it any more, which saddens me as it was my favourite. I noticed on the new package that ingredients now list “cornmeal and/or yellow corn flour” - on the old package the ingredients list “cornmeal, yellow corn flour”. You have obviously changed the recipe. I understand that as food prices rise, companies are trying to adjust their products before passing the increase on to consumers (who are often upset by price increases) - but it’s not a winning strategy to adjust the product and hope that consumers don’t notice. I’m disappointed.

Hi K - Thank you for taking

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:26.

Hi K - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

I AGREE!!!! I’m so

Submitted by Mint on May 7, 2012 - 11:42.

I AGREE!!!! I’m so disappointed in the new taste of mesa sunrise! I have been eating and ‘relying’ this cereal for years… I’ve memorized the taste - I know it’s changed! Even visually it looks different! I have a million allergies, and it has always been in my ‘back to basics’ diet forever (whenever I’m feeling ill). I am so sad that it tastes sooooo terrible! I won’t buy it again. I’d rather they keep the same recipe but raise the price…or make them in smaller quantity bags… What I notice the most different is that there is no sweet taste. Its the same degree of change as if you drink coffee with milk and sugar and then someone hands you a black coffee - yuk! I am so disappointed. It also makes me skeptical of what they’ve done to their other lines…

Hi Mint - Thank you for

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:17.

Hi Mint - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

I agree with you 100%!!! I

Submitted by janiceyoung on May 3, 2012 - 06:41.

I agree with you 100%!!! I was soooo disappointed at the cardboard taste of this cereal after having enjoyed it for a few years. It is even difficult to chew. My husband, who is not Celiac, enjoyed Mesa Sunrise … no longer. Unfortunately, I have not come across an alternative as yet, but I will not purchase this product again. Why do companies change ingredients when the sales have a successful history? Makes no sense whatsoever.

Hi Janice - Thank you for

Submitted by Itziar on May 14, 2012 - 10:41.

Hi Janice - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

Finally! I have been looking

Submitted by RF on May 2, 2012 - 21:26.

Finally! I have been looking all over for proof my taste buds were not the only ones disappointed by the new Mesa Sunrise formula. I don’t care what anyone from Nature’s Path has to say about the packaging being the only difference. I can only see it as a form of damage control and a tool for making us feel like the difference is psychosomatic—all in our heads. Sorry, but my cupboard shelf doesn’t lie. I’m a very active dancer, and I usually run through an Eco Pak in less than five days. Now, I’ve had the same bag for two weeks, and only eat from it when I am desperately hungry late at night and don’t want to eat anything damaging to my system or caloric intake. Let’s talk about the taste. Like many others have noted, and so creatively to boot, the new recipe tastes disgusting. Honestly, it offends my mouth and insults my So Delicious milk substitute. I remember buying a box with the new packaging for the first time. I tasted the cereal and was certain, I had picked up a bad box. The flakes were so thin and the taste unbearably stale. The lingering after taste is bad enough to make me scrape my tongue with a steak-knife. I thought it was a fluke that happens with most brands from time to time, but when I went back to purchase and Eco Pak. I looked through the plastic carefully and saw the darker colored flakes, and then new this was the unfortunate plight of my once favorite cereal. Denial led me down the aisle with one bag in hand (instead of my normal two-three). I wanted to prove myself wrong, but, once getting home and eating a little, knew it would be impossible to do. This cereal used to be a staple of my daily diet—a ‘when in doubt, there’s always Mesa Sunrise.’ Now, I am in the market for a new favorite cereal. I won’t spend another dime on any Nature’s Path products, until a) an acknowledgment of the ‘cover-not-content’ lie is issued, and b)the formula changes back!

Hi there - Thank you for

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:17.

Hi there - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We’re sorry you had this experience. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

agreed - I dislike the new

Submitted by jw on April 21, 2012 - 15:31.

agreed - I dislike the new mesa sunrise. It was the only cereal I bought. Can’t enjoy it at all now. Why are they insisting that the cereal inside has not changed? Pretty irritating.

Hi JW - Thank you for taking

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:22.

Hi JW - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

I am in complete agreement

Submitted by El (not verified) on April 18, 2012 - 08:14.

I am in complete agreement with K. The cereal is thin and weak and lost its hearty crunch. It does taste stale. I’ve been eating Mesa Sunrise every day for many years. I take it with me when I travel as there is nothing else I want to eat in the morning. Bring back the old recipe please!! I am very disappointed.

Hi El - Thank you for taking

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:23.

Hi El - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

I agree!! Ever since the

Submitted by Melanie Blair (not verified) on April 12, 2012 - 22:30.

I agree!! Ever since the package changed the mesa sunrise cereal has been awful and we are very dissapointed. As a gluten free family with seven kids we regularily go through 3 bags of the ecopacks a week, but the kids won’t eat it any more so we won’t be buying it unless you change it back.

Hi Melanie - Thank you for

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:24.

Hi Melanie - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

I have noticed since the

Submitted by james (not verified) on April 3, 2012 - 20:54.

I have noticed since the label-logo has changed, so has the cereal and it tastes awful. I miss my Mesa Sunrise. Unless it changes back I will not be buying it anymore.

Hi James - Thank you for

Submitted by Itziar on May 8, 2012 - 15:25.

Hi James - Thank you for taking the time to let us know what you think. We had a process change that affected the taste of our Mesa Sunrise cereal but have since corrected the issue. Please email cereal@naturespath.com and Nicolette in consumer services will be happy to make things right again. Thanks for your support, Itziar.

While you say the products

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 22, 2012 - 00:27.

While you say the products “haven’t changed a bit,” the new Optimum Slim nutrition label shows the fiber content being reduced by one-third from the previous packaging, from 9 grams to 6 grams - though none of the other specifications seems to have changed. Why is this? Not really expecting an answer, since the same question was asked (twice) on the product page and ignored, but thought I’d give it a try - thanks.

Hi There - Thanks for taking

Submitted by Itziar on May 16, 2012 - 09:50.

Hi There - Thanks for taking the time to ask us your question. As we only use organic ingredients in our products, the nutrition will fluctuate naturally depending on various factors, such as crop conditions, climate, etc. Therefore, the nutrition on the boxes is an average of the testing conducted -with an allowable 20% leeway to allow for the ingredient nutrition variation. In order to make sure our nutrition values remain accurate over time, we retest products periodically. The nutritional information on your box of Optimum Slim is correct at 6g of fiber per serving. All the best, Itziar

My husband has loved the Flax

Submitted by Monica (not verified) on March 22, 2012 - 11:04.

My husband has loved the Flax Plus multibran cereal for years. He swears that the cereal in the new packaging is not the same, the taste is different and the flakes look different…..I agree. What changed?

Hi Monica – Thanks for

Submitted by Itziar on March 26, 2012 - 11:34.

Hi Monica – Thanks for getting in touch and giving us a chance to follow up. Rest assured, this product has not undergone any changes. We’re sorry to hear your husband was disappointed with your recent purchase and hope that you’ll continue to try our products. I’ve passed on your feedback to our Quality Assurance team and encourage you to fill out your contact details here http://www.naturespath.com/contact-us so that we can get back to you and make things right. All the best, Itziar

The box got smaller

Submitted by charnette (not verified) on March 26, 2012 - 10:51.

The box got smaller

Hi there – Thanks for taking

Submitted by Itziar on March 22, 2012 - 10:42.

Hi there – Thanks for taking the time to post your comment and for pointing this out to us, we appreciate it. Our Optimum Slim cereal does have 6g of fiber per serving and the product details and nutritional panel on the website have been updated to reflect this; we’re sorry for any inconvenience. As an organic company we don’t fortify our products (artificially add large amounts of vitamins and minerals) like many conventional non-organic cereal manufacturers do; as a result, the nutritional values of our products may fluctuate depending on various external factors such as crop conditions, climate etc. Rest assured, we haven’t made a recipe change to this product. In order to make sure our nutritional values remain accurate we make sure to retest our products periodically. The last testing of this product resulted in 6g of fiber per serving. We believe getting nutrition straight from natural sources is always best. Take care, Itziar.

I am a recent Nature’s Path

Submitted by Wsyne (not verified) on March 19, 2012 - 07:09.

I am a recent Nature’s Path customer and I am glad to see that the packaging is decreased compared to other products in the market. When I first saw the package on the shelf I picked it up and it felt rather dense. Then I realized the package was very tight. I dislike it when I buy cereal and half of the box is air. I know there are concerns with shipping and handling, but I would assume modern technology and shipping methods do not have as much of a problem with that where packages cannot be shrunken. Thanks Nature’s Path for decreasing the size of your package and offering wholesome natural products. Is there any chance for increasing the number of products offered in bulk packages? The Eco Pacs are certainly a good start. If I know I like a product, I would much rather prefer to buy in bulk.

Hi Wayne – Thanks for getting

Submitted by Itziar on March 22, 2012 - 11:27.

Hi Wayne – Thanks for getting in touch and for being an environmentally conscious consumer. We love hearing what our customers have to say and are always open to hearing new ideas and suggestions on how to improve our environmental footprint. In the meantime, I’ve passed on your comments to the Product Development and Marketing teams. Take Care, Itziar

Hi, I agree with being

Submitted by Serena Cassell (not verified) on March 19, 2012 - 05:39.

Hi, I agree with being environmentally oriented, but can you PLEASE make it more obvious which of your products are gluten free?? Looking at the new box design, you have to hunt around for the icon that indicates it’s safe for my consumption.

Hi Serena – Thanks for

Submitted by Itziar on March 21, 2012 - 14:25.

Hi Serena – Thanks for getting in touch with us and for being a health conscious consumer. We apologize for any confusion with the new packaging designs. We’re currently in the process of transitioning all our products to a new unified look, and ask for your patience in the meantime. The yellow gluten free label on our new packaging is located above the organic label in the bottom right corner of the packaging. Take care, Itziar

Your ECO PACs packaging

Submitted by AP (not verified) on March 4, 2012 - 10:27.

Your ECO PACs packaging without the box are great, but I would like to suggest a “Zip-lock” type seal at the top or even halfway across the top. It would keep the cereal protected and not have to transfer to and clean another container making it a true Eco Pac.

Hi AP – Thanks for reaching

Submitted by Itziar on March 9, 2012 - 11:44.

Hi AP – Thanks for reaching out to us and for being an environmentally conscious consumer. Your comments are important to us; therefore, I have forwarded your suggestion to our Brand Manager. Take care, Itziar, Nature’s Path Team

I have been a customer for

Submitted by Janet White (not verified) on March 3, 2012 - 06:59.

I have been a customer for years and my favorite is your Pumpkin Flax Granola. As with the others I appreciate the smaller box to save but the new look is not as appealing as the original. This is from the stand point of a customer as well as an artist. We vote for returning to the green box with the original bold graphics and skip the boring beige colored box with the bowl and tiny pumpkin on the side.

Hi Janet, thanks for voicing

Submitted by Itziar on March 8, 2012 - 13:02.

Hi Janet, thanks for voicing your opinion on our new packaging re-design. The changes were inspired by consumer feedback so we continue to value your input! We’re sorry to hear you are disappointed with the new look of this product; our consumers’ comments are important to us, therefore, I have forwarded your comment to the Brand Manager. Take care, Itziar, Nature’s Path Team

In response to the customer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 29, 2012 - 13:02.

In response to the customer who said “if it’s not broken….” The point is that it IS broken. The previous packaging was wasteful and costly, and I applaud the company’s move to more appropriately-sized packaging. I recently contacted another eco/green/health food company to ask them about their packaging because the package is DOUBLE the size of the product and they were completely unopen to considering new packaging because of aesthetics on the grocer’s shelves. So kudos to Nature’s Path for being a pioneer and taking risks with reduced packaging and waste!

I’ve really missed my daily

Submitted by J.T. (not verified) on February 28, 2012 - 15:12.

I’ve really missed my daily Flax Plus! Suddenly I couldn’t find it in the store. Now I realize you have changed the packaging so much that even loyal customers cannot locate your product. If it’s not broken, …

I totally agree with J.T. I

Submitted by Marcia (not verified) on March 22, 2012 - 08:57.

I totally agree with J.T. I panicked yesterday when I went to get my Flax Plus, my favorite cereal!! I think it was a mistake to change the design. The larger lettering, (the old design), was much easier to read. The emphasis now seems to be more on the company logo and a bowl of cereal. Now I’m having to search for what the product is. The larger lettering on a dark background, (old design of Flax Plus), told me all I needed to know. The new, smaller lettering seems to get lost on the flat blue background. Sorry, but I think it was a mistake. Ditto on the if it ain’t broke…

Hi Marcia – Thanks for

Submitted by Itziar on March 30, 2012 - 14:17.

Hi Marcia – Thanks for reaching out to us and passing on your feedback. Our changes were inspired by consumer feedback with the intention of creating a unified look for all of our products and to better showcase the tasty ingredients inside the box. We thank you in advance for your patience as all of our packaging transitions to the new design and hope that you’ll be able to better recognize your favorite products in the near future. Take care, Itziar

Hi J.T., thanks for sharing

Submitted by Itziar on March 6, 2012 - 10:33.

Hi J.T., thanks for sharing your thoughts on our new look. We’re sorry for your confusion and thank you in advance for your patience as we shift the rest of our products to a similar look. The changes were designed, with consumer feedback in mind, to better communicate the nutritional benefits and yummy ingredients inside the box. All the best, Itziar, Nature’s Path Team

I am looking for gluten free

Submitted by Keith L Ritchie (not verified) on February 28, 2012 - 14:49.

I am looking for gluten free products. I purchased your “Love Crunch, Dark Chocolate & Red Berries” which based on what in on the package appears to be Gluten Free. Is this so? What other products do you have that is Gluten Free? I have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

Hi Keith, thanks for getting

Submitted by Itziar on March 6, 2012 - 15:48.

Hi Keith, thanks for getting in touch and taking a deeper interest in your health. Our Love Crunch Premium Granola is not gluten-free because it contains oats. At this time, we cannot guarantee that there is no possibility of cross contamination with gluten grains during the milling process. We carry a wide selection of yummy products for our gluten-free friends, please find them here: http://www.naturespath.com/eat-well/gluten-free-celiac-diet All the best, Itziar, Nature’s Path Team

RE your new packaging. We

Submitted by Roger (not verified) on February 28, 2012 - 13:07.

RE your new packaging. We understand the need to conserve packaging materials and agree that sometimes things must be reconfigured/redesigned. Our local health foods supplier, Vitamin Cottage, said you have recently changed your packaging procedures. We have become great fans of your Mesa Sunrise cereal and have always purchased it in the bulk bags. VC says it isn’t available from you in that configuration any longer. Unless we misunderstood them. Only the boxed size is available although they still have the Mesa Sunrise Raisin in bags, which we do not buy (I like raisins…just NOT in cereal…lol!) The boxed Mesa Sunrise is not economical for us to purchase. Why the change? Logically, it would take about 3 (estimated) boxes of Mesa Sunrise to equal the volume of one bag. That’s three boxes of packing materials vs one plastic bag. Doesn’t make sense. We miss the bags as we have the Rubbermaid bulk containers/dispensers we store(d) the Sunrise in in our cabinets. We still use/enjoy the corn flakes in the bags. Why not Sunrise too?????? Are we missing something here? Please clarify.

Hi Roger, thanks for sharing

Submitted by Itziar on March 6, 2012 - 15:13.

Hi Roger, thanks for sharing your feedback with us. Rest assured, our Organic Mesa Sunrise cereal is still available in Ecopac format. You may find it on the shelves of major North American retailers or online on our website http://shop.naturespath.com/ECO-PACS/c/NaturesPath@EcoPacs . Another option would be to place a special order at your local store using the following UPC code: 58449 779001. All the best, Itziar, Nature’s Path Team

For the past year, I’ve been

Submitted by Max (not verified) on February 27, 2012 - 19:28.

For the past year, I’ve been enjoying your Heritage Muesli (Raspberry and Hazelnut). I don’t see it on your site. PLEASE tell me it’s not been discontinued… Thanks. Max