Kellogg's apologises for "racist" cereal box

Naomi Gordon
Updated

 

 

Kellogg's has issued an apology after it was accused of "teaching racism" with its artwork on one of its cereal boxes.

The cereal company received a complaint on Twitter about the picture on the box featuring yellow corn pop characters having fun while the only brown corn pop was cleaning the floor.

Novelist Saladin Ahmed – who is writing the Black Bolt series for Marvel Comics – tweeted at the company to accuse them of "teaching kids racism" for depicting the only brown corn pop as a janitor.

"hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor? this is teaching kids racism," he posted on Twitter.

Kellogg's responded to Ahmed's tweet to apologise and confirm that the artwork was being updated.

Their statement read: "Kellogg is committed to diversity & inclusion. We did not intend to offend – we apologize. The artwork is updated & will be in stores soon."

Ahmed said he appreciated the "rapid response" by Kellogg's, adding: "Today in tiny victories."

He went on to tweet: "Today I used the computer in my pocket to get a cereal company to make their boxes less racist what even is the 21st century."

Meanwhile, skincare brand Nivea was recently condemned for an advert which appeared to show its product lightening black skin.

Fellow cosmetics brand Dove also issued an apology after releasing images that seemed to depict a black woman turning white after using its soap.

"An image we recently posted on Facebook missed the mark in representing women of color thoughtfully. We deeply regret the offense it caused," Dove posted on Twitter after the controversy.

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