Beginning with many of its most popular children’s products, Kellogg Company intends to make nearly 80% of its ready-to-eat cereals in the U.S and Canada good to excellent sources of fiber by the end of 2010.

In the U.S., Kellogg already has more ready-to-eat cereals that are at least a “good source” of fiber than any other food company, including Frosted Mini-Wheats, Kellogg’s Raisin Bran and All-Bran.

“Today’s announcement is another step on Kellogg Company’s journey to continually improve the nutrition profile of our products without compromising taste or quality,” said David Mackay, president and CEO. “A year ago we changed what and how we market to children and reduced the sugar and sodium in a number of our cereals. Now, Kellogg is adding an important benefit—fiber—to our foods while maintaining their great taste.”

Fiber has many benefits, including helping to keep children’s digestive systems healthy so they can absorb nutrients. Yet, children ages 6-12 get, on average, 12 grams of fiber daily—well below the recommended intake.

The first cereals to gain more fiber will be Kellogg’s Froot Loops and Apple Jacks, which will appear on U.S. store shelves in August.

Similarly, adults only get about half the recommended fiber they need each day, and stand to benefit from fiber in terms of weight management, digestive health and reduced risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.