GRAINS OF TRUTH: WHEATIES' 75TH PARTY; NEW BELLE CEREAL

          Wheaties launched the celebration of its 75th
     anniversary yesterday by re-releasing the original packages
     of 10 personalities that were selected by the public via
     Wheaties "Vote For Your Favorite Wheaties Champion" promo
     held during January-February '99.  More than 200,000
     consumers voted for their top 10 favorite Wheaties heroes: 
     The Top 10: 1) '80 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team; 2) John
     Elway; 3) Lou Gehrig; 4) Michael Jordan; 5) Walter Payton;
     6) Mary Lou Retton; 7) Cal Ripken Jr.; 8) Jackie Robinson;
     9) Babe Ruth; 10) Tiger Woods (General Mills).
          MILKING IT: "Albert Belle Slugger Cereal" will be
     released in the Baltimore-DC area in May.  The corn flakes
     are made by MN-based Grist Mill and will come in an 18-ounce
     box.  Belle promoter Grant Dinner "insisted" that Belle's
     product isn't competing with Cal Ripken Jr.'s cereal from
     Famous Fixins (see THE DAILY, 3/2) (AP, 4/27).