Kellogg to Make Cereals and Snacks More Nutritious or Stop Marketing to Children
Posted: Monday, June 18, 2007
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
The Kellogg Company said it will increase the nutritional value of the cereals and snacks targ
eted at children or else stop marketing those products to them altogether. Parents and advocacy groups have worried about child obesity and threatened a lawsuit. Kellogg listened.
Some of the company’s products such as Froot Loops cereal and Pop Tart toaster pastries fall outside certain standards. These products will either be reformulated or dropped from advertising that reaches audiences where at least half of the people are under age 12, the company reports.
What are the standards which must be met to be considered healthier and provide a high nutritional value? “The new standard calls for a single serving of a product to contain no more than 200 calories; have no trans fat and no more than 2 grams of saturated fat; have no more than 230 milligrams of sodium; and have no more than 12 grams of sugar."
Mark Baynes, who is the chief marketing officer said, “one-third of the cereals that Kellogg markets to children in the U.S. fall outside those standards." Most cereals fall inside the calorie guideline, he said, but meeting the sugar and sodium standards could be the most challenging.
David McKay, President and CEO of Kellogg said the company was taking action because of the concerns about marketing to children. The company reported that twenty-seven percent of Kellogg's U.S. advertising spending is directed to children under 12 years old.
The more nutritional food will not only be sold in the United States but throughout the world. The company also plans to make immediate changes to its Web sites for children, including automatic screen time limits and information about healthy lifestyles and nutrition. It also said it will limit images of foods in computer games, downloads and wallpaper that don't meet the new criteria.
This decision pleased the parents and advocacy groups who had threatened to take legal action against Kellogg. “Kellogg has vaulted over the rest of the food industry," stated the executive director of one advocacy group.
Resource: http://kelloggcompany.com child obesity
2007 Avis Ward of GeoVi's Home for New Life
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Thanks Avis, for this new information. I hadn't heard about it yet, but can only say it's about time. I support any change in the Food industry which makes it easier for parents to get healthier food into their children's mouths and bodies.Judy, you're most welcome and I thank you for reading and commenting on this article. I am in agreement with you. It appears to be happening more and more lately that the Food industry is attempting to offer more healthier choices for children.
Avis, I'm very happy to read this article. In my view, and to (mis)quote a Chinese saying: 'It takes a village to raise a child'. Obesity is becoming a huge (no pun intended but allowed) problem here in Australia also. Companies targeting children need to step up and become responsible that the 'food' they are offering is also nutrition. Parents are also responsible and I sometimes hear some opting out by blaming the companies. We're all in this world together and the children are our own future. It is up to all of us to take the best care possible of them, and on their behalf, ourselves. HannahHannah, your comments could have been included in my article. Thank you so very much! I agree with your (mis)quote. It does take a village to raise a child. Obesity in children is still making the headlines in the states. It's a problem for everyone to remedy and become involved. I was unaware it was becoming a problem in Australia, as well. I appreciate your support, Hannah. Also, welcome to SearchWarp! I look forward to reading more of your articles. Best regards, Avis.
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