Major backlash to CEO’s cereal suggestion

The CEO of Kellogg’s has been slammed after recommending people start eating cereal for dinner amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnik said the company is trying to meet consumers where they are currently. Picture: Supplied

The CEO of Kellogg’s has been slammed after recommending people start eating cereal for dinner as an affordable option with the increase in food prices.

Kellogg’s CEO Gary Pilnik said the company is advertising this to meet consumers where they are currently, but his remarks have instead been seen as offensive and degrading.

His comments came during an interview on Wednesday during a segment about how buying food is taking up a large portion of people’s income.

“We gotta reach the consumer where they are,” Pilnik told CNBC’s Squawk Box.

“So we’re advertising about cereal for dinner.

Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnik suggestion of cereal for dinner to combat rising cost of living has been slammed online. Picture: CNBC

“If you think about the cost of cereal for a family versus what they might otherwise do. That’s gonna be much more affordable.”

Pilnik went on to explain how Kellogg’s is trying to adjust for consumers by making different-sized boxes of cereal at different price points.

He suggested that a bowl of cereal costs less than a dollar and is a good choice for a cheap meal.

“The other places we like to go is we talk about making sure we have the right pack at the right price in the right place,” Pilnik added.

“So having a different size pack that will have a price point that will take some pressure off the consumer while they’re shopping.

“But in general, the cereal category is a place that a lot of folks might come to because the price of a bowl of cereal with milk and with fruit is less than a dollar.

“So you could imagine why a consumer under pressure might find that to be a good place to go.”

Major backlash

However, TikTokers called Pilnik out for recommending cereal for dinner while he enjoys his big-time corporate fortune.

“Rich CEO of Kellogg’s telling the poor and all of the laid-off workers to eat cereal for dinner while standing in front of a mansion,” one said in the caption of a video.

“This is what companies think of you.”

The CEOs comments were labelled “dystopian” and met with major backlash online. Picture: File.

The video was met with dozens of people commenting that his message came off as a hit at people being poor and that they should eat insufficient meals for dinner.

“Give the peasants cereal for dinner!” one person commented.

“Corporate gaslighting at its finest,” a second comment said.

“He’s talking like cereal is still $2.50 a box,” this comment said.

“Boycott Kellogg’s !!!”’ another commenter said.

The video was overloaded with comments from people in heavy disagreement with the CEO’s claim.

“What the hell kind of dystopian hellscape is this?” another comment said.

“I will never buy cereal again. Eat that,” this comment said.

“A bowl of fruit, cereal, and milk is less than a dollar?!!!!! In what universe?” this comment said.

“Even cereal is $5+/box and they bags hold LESS cereal now, like 45% of the bag, so Kellogg can kick rocks,” another comment said.

“No nutritional value in cereal – don’t eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner!!” this comment said.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Major backlash to CEO’s cereal suggestion