Kellogg's Reverses Rice Krispie Immunity Claims
By Kasey Hendrix
The largest maker of cereal in the U.S. is backing away from a health claim printed on some cereal boxes.The claims emblazoned on boxes of Kellogg's Coca Krispies and Rice Krispies claimed the breakfast food "Now helps support your child's IMMUNITY." The claim had also been posted on the Kellogg's website reading: "And now each and every box is fortified with vitamins and nutrients that work together to help support your child's immunity." After being asked by critics to prove the claim and media suggestions that the company was taking advantage of H1N1 fears, Kellogg's has announced it will discontinue the immunity statements.The additional vitamins and nutrients are antioxidants that have been found to help support the immune system.
(Illinois Home Page.Net)
This public relations faux pa is an example of what happens when people in our field try to pull the age-old role of “spin doctor.” A campaign like this could further suspicions about public relations practitioners being sly sneaky business people out to get a buck because it deliberately fabricated a half-truth and distributed that to the American public. A company such as Kellogg’s should have had someone more professional than that dealing with their Rice Krispies campaign, but I am sure that they have learned their lesson. Now they will be viewed as less credible on other good health claims that are actually true about their products. I thought this news story was an interesting depiction of just why we should always stay honest with our publics!
http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=115651
By Kasey Hendrix
The largest maker of cereal in the U.S. is backing away from a health claim printed on some cereal boxes.The claims emblazoned on boxes of Kellogg's Coca Krispies and Rice Krispies claimed the breakfast food "Now helps support your child's IMMUNITY." The claim had also been posted on the Kellogg's website reading: "And now each and every box is fortified with vitamins and nutrients that work together to help support your child's immunity." After being asked by critics to prove the claim and media suggestions that the company was taking advantage of H1N1 fears, Kellogg's has announced it will discontinue the immunity statements.The additional vitamins and nutrients are antioxidants that have been found to help support the immune system.
(Illinois Home Page.Net)
This public relations faux pa is an example of what happens when people in our field try to pull the age-old role of “spin doctor.” A campaign like this could further suspicions about public relations practitioners being sly sneaky business people out to get a buck because it deliberately fabricated a half-truth and distributed that to the American public. A company such as Kellogg’s should have had someone more professional than that dealing with their Rice Krispies campaign, but I am sure that they have learned their lesson. Now they will be viewed as less credible on other good health claims that are actually true about their products. I thought this news story was an interesting depiction of just why we should always stay honest with our publics!
http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=115651
Photo obtained from morethananelection.com
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