Kellogg accused of ‘teaching racism’ over insensitive Corn Pops design
The Battle Creek, Michigan-based cereal and snack maker responded almost immediately to Saladin Ahmed’s criticism of the cereal box’s cover drawing of cartoon characters shaped like corn kernels populating a shopping mall.
Happy families?
At first glance, it is a happy scene with yellow corn pop characters shopping, playing in an arcade, skateboarding down an escalator and frolicking in a fountain.
However, the Marvel Comics author noticed a single brown corn pop, working as a janitor and waxing the floor.
Ahmed tweeted: “Hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor? this is teaching kids racism”.
“Yes, it,s a tiny thing, but when you see your kid staring at this over breakfast and realize millions of other kids are doing the same,” he added.
The Kellogg’s US Twitter account responded to Ahmed’s tweet within hours, saying they would be replacing the cartoon with something more sensitive.
Sincere apologies
In a statement sent to BakeryandSnacks, Kellogg spokesperson Kris Charles said the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has long been a top priority.
“We take feedback very seriously and it was never our intention to offend anyone. We apologize sincerely,” she said.
Charles confirmed the package artwork has been updated and will appear on store shelves soon as it flows through distribution.
