A dietary recommendation that sounds like a provocation.
Gary Pilnick, CEO of cereal company Kellogg's, advised American families to "eat cereal for dinner" to reduce their food costs during times of inflation.
“If you think about the price of cereals for a family, compared to other products, it is much more affordable (…).
The price of a bowl of cereal with milk and fruit costs less than a dollar,” he seriously defended live on the show “Squawk on the Street” on the American channel CNBC, the the 21st of February.
These statements from the multimillionaire provoked the anger of Internet users, some going so far as to call for a boycott of the brand.
“A box of cornflakes costs £3.20.
"None of these people will ever understand what it's like to go to a supermarket knowing you have to buy five days' worth of food and toiletries with £10 on your card," laments one them, visibly British, on X.
A Box of Kelloggs Cornflakes is £3.20.
Neither of these people will ever understand what it's like to go into a supermarket, knowing you have to get five days worth of food & toiletries with £10 on your card.
A totally imbalanced & fucking cruel, society.
https://t.co/eX4oDBx6M9
— Mikey Walsh (@thatbloodyMikey) February 28, 2024
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cereal prices have increased 28% since 2020. Over the past year, Kellogg's product prices have increased 12%.
Marie-Antoinette was guillotined for having advised the hungry people to eat brioche because there was no more bread… I say that, I say nothing https://t.co/h5qOgAhRWy
— useless king (@LeMendibilien) February 28, 2024
Some consumers ironically drew a parallel between this release and the rumor that, at the start of the French Revolution, Marie-Antoinette invited peasants who were short of bread to eat brioche.
Insufficient nutrient intake
Others did not fail to highlight the lack of nutrition in the cereals of the brand which notably owns Froosties, Miel Pops and Trésor.
“Remember that Kellogg's cereals are fake genetically modified foods,” wrote one X user.
Kellogg's CEO is telling Americans to eat cereal for dinner because it's less expensive.
Please keep in mind: Kellogg's cereals are Genetically Modified fake foods.
pic.twitter.com/lYcP52nOYL
— David Wolfe (@DavidWolfe) February 26, 2024
According to Jean-Michel Lecerf, head of the nutrition department at the Pasteur Institute in Lille, it all depends on what type of cereal we are talking about.
“Cereals represent a heterogeneous group.
Oatmeal or muesli, for example, are interesting from a nutritional point of view since they are rich in fiber,” he begins by qualifying.
“A porridge made from oatmeal with a banana or dried fruit can be a good occasional evening meal,” continues the author of the book.
Overweight is in the head or in the plate ?.
Also readHealth: should we skip breakfast?
But be careful, the doctor's advice does not apply to very sugary cereals like those sold by the Kellogg's group.
“Breakfast cereals, often given to children, are very sugary, very processed and offer almost no nutritional value.
They cannot constitute a complete meal and consumed in too large quantities, they are not good for your health,” concludes the expert.