Kellogg’s is replacing Corn Pops boxes after some say the art on the box is racist
Kellogg's will be restocking stores with new boxes of Corn Pops after seeing a complaint about racially insensitive art on the packaging.
The boxes in question show a “Where’s Waldo?” mishmash of cartoon cereal pieces hanging out at a mall. One pushes a shopping cart filled with other corn pops. Another is walking on giant stilts that also happen to be spoons.
A single, darker colored pop is seen near the center of image. He is depicted as a janitor waxing the floors.
hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor? this is teaching kids racism. pic.twitter.com/Nh7M7IFawW
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) October 24, 2017
Writer Saladin Amhed tweeted out a picture of the box and asked: “Why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor? This is teaching kids racism.”
The tweet quickly got the attention of Kellogg’s.
“Kellogg is committed to diversity & inclusion. We did not intend to offend – we apologize. The artwork is updated and will be in stores soon,” Kellogg’s tweeted in reply.
Kellogg’s spokesperson Kris Charles later told USA Today that “Kellogg Company has respect for all people, and our 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.”
Shoppers will begin to see the new boxes on store shelves soon as they get into distribution, according to USA Today.
Ahmed’s original tweet didn’t just catch Kellogg’s attention, either.
So far, it has has more than 1,000 replies. Many focus on the odd nature of the image itself.
It’s weird. He has a nose. The pops don’t. And what’s with the “tourists” in the top left quad? I have questions.
— Jennifer Van Goethem (@jvgtweet) October 24, 2017
One of the kernels seems to be getting corn rows done. Many of the sugar pops appear to be ninjas.
“I hate that I feel the need to point that out,” reads one Twitter reply.
The other ones are ninjas. I hate that I feel the need to point that out.
— Rev. Dr. Dr. Phlebo (@RevDrDrPhill) October 25, 2017
Another wonders why the janitor was the only pop wearing clothes?
“It is the only one with a job,” one person tweeted. “The rest are wasting their lives. Typical Millennials ... Stop looking for ways to be offended.”
It is the only one with a job. The rest are wasting their lives.
— Matt Lepperd (@TheCreator1966) October 25, 2017
Typical Millennials...Stop looking for ways to be offended.
This story was originally published October 25, 2017 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Kellogg’s is replacing Corn Pops boxes after some say the art on the box is racist."