Patent ID: 8043643

Claim:
A food substance, comprising: a thermally processed cereal piece at least partially coated with a coating composition that is substantially clear after the coated cereal piece has been thermally processed and does not detract from the appearance of the cereal piece compared to an uncoated cereal piece wherein the coating composition comprises a dextrin and a starch component, wherein the coating composition provides enhanced resistance to breakage for the cereal piece such that the at least partially coated cereal piece does not break until enough force is applied to the cereal piece to cause a balance to read greater than 400 grams using the Cereal/Snack Piece Crush Test; and wherein the dextrin has at least about 70% solubility in about 77° F. water and comprises at least about 60% by weight of the coating composition; and wherein the at least partially coated and thermally processed cereal piece absorbs at least about 20% by weight or less milk over a given period of time compared to the milk absorbed by an uncoated cereal piece.