Sunday July 6th, 2008
 |  |
 |
O-Snap! O-Crackle! O-Pop!
Posted by Su Avasthi on August 27, 2006 - 2:56am.
Kellogg’s has introduced Organic Rice Krispies, one of several new organic versions of popular cereals, like Frosted Mini Wheats and Raisin Bran. Is this a smart update on favorite cereals? Or is organic becoming the latest sales gimmick?
Kellogg’s new line is made with organic products and on one level, I’m glad that Kellogg’s has taken this step. At the very least, it makes it easy to find cereal made with organic rice and organic sugar cane.
The first few ingredients go like this: Organic medium grain rice, organic evaporated cane juice syrup, sea salt, organic malt extract, organic evaporated cane juice crystals… and then a list of chemicals that sound unfamiliar. Nonetheless, I’m sure they adhere to the strict standards mandated by the USDA Certified Organic regulations.
It seems that when heavy-hitters like Kelloggs and Wal-Mart demand organic products, the world starts to change. For instance, sugar companies will start producing organic sugar and introduce sustainable agricultural practices, which lessen the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Even if it’s a small change and a mere fraction of their business, it’s a start.
But, I have to admit, the whole thing also smacks of being the current food marketing fad. I hate to think that mainstream organic products are just the latest incarnation of Low-Fat or Low-Carb. I'm sure that careful market research has led Kellogg's to conclude that splashing "organic" on the label is the latest way to get health-conscious women, particularly mothers, to buy their product.
The truth is that prospect of organic Kelloggs products kind of makes my head spin with questions: Is it a good thing if powerhouse food conglomerates bring organics into the mainstream? Or is it just the latest flavor-of-month tactic? Isn’t it cool that regular people can buy higher quality products for themselves and their kids? Are organic Oreos, Snickers and Twinkies next on the horizon?
Questions aside, however, if organic Rice Krispies are coming to a cereal aisle near me, I’ll buy ‘em and happily leave the twigs and bird seed that I currently eat for breakfast to the serious health nuts.
It's a minor victory (and a treat) to eat wisely and get to have guilt-free snap, crackle and pop in the mornings.
Do you really think that they will put all the ingredients on the packages, or just what we want to see?
Is it 70% organic or 100%
I want to know. I have made the switch over to Organic. I want to know what is in my food, especially when companies like Kelloggs claim to be making Organic cereals now. How does one know what they really put in there. I purchase all my organic food from an Organic Store specializing in Organic foods. Sure it is more expensive, but I know I am not putting those "additives'' in my body.
Now my favorite cereal comes in organic :)
Pretty soon going to the supermarket is going to be like a trip to the gas station......"would you like organic? organic plus? or premium organic?"
Thank you for posting this. This issue rather concerns me because approximately six months ago I saw proposed legislation discussed on a political website that entailed redefining the criteria for what would constitute "Organic" food. The idea was to permit a certain level of contaminants. Either Eden Organics or Wesbrae Natural opposed the idea. Unfortunately, I don't know the status of that legislation. But a shiver of cynicism ran up my spine when I saw that Wal-Mart was going to begin selling organic produce. In my area they sell green onions, Romaine lettuce hearts, and occasionally strawberries--but that's about it. We need to hawk our legislators and make sure they don't destroy the meaning of "organic."
When you think about it, it is the height of cynicism to exploit peoples' desire to be healthy. After all, it is our government that is so concerned with epidemic rates of obesity, Diabetes Type II and coronary disease.
There has recently been a spate of "Organic is Hot" articles in many business publications such as Barrons, Fortune and Forbes; however, one reason I am not terribly concerned that all of mainstream America is about to go organic is that the economy is in serious trouble, and many consumers are beginning to have trouble affording the basic necessities. It's kind of sad to say this--because I do believe eating organically is better--but I also believe it is a health fad for many people that will be put on hold for the near term as interest rates and inflation push the prices of nearly everything upward. Some corporations are going to have to reconsider whether it is profitable to sell organic products or not, and the mania for organic may subside. Mike