John Kroger (D)
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Kellogg Company has agreed to donate nearly 500,000 boxes of cereal to organizations that feed the hungry as part of a settlement with the Oregon attorney general over questionable product marketing allegations.
The attorney general's case focused on cereal box marketing claims that Rice Krispies "helps support your child's immunity."
"Kellogg should be credited with addressing the allegations quickly and constructively," said Attorney General John Kroger, a Democrat. "This settlement will directly benefit Oregonians who are hungry."
Under the settlement, Kellogg has agreed to stop shipping cereal boxes with the immunity language by January 15, destroy more than 2 million units of packaging with the immunity claim and discontinue making the health claim unless it provides the Oregon Department of Justice with advance notice and competent reliable scientific evidence.
Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg will donate 108,000 boxes of cereal to Oregon Food Bank and 372,000 boxes to Feeding America. The donated cereal boxes contain 5,760,000 servings, the attorney general's office said.
"We thank Attorney General Kroger's office for its work to ensure the integrity of our food and to help fight hunger," said Mike Moran of the Oregon Food Bank. "This donation will fill breakfast bowls for hungry children throughout Oregon."
From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.