The campaign was criticized following a television interview with Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnick who suggested that cash-strapped consumers should eat cereal for dinner to save money, dismissing the underlying concerns of food insecurity and inflation.[1][2][3] The suggestion was compared to the historical "let them eat cake" remark as "let them eat cereal".[4][5] Their comments led to suggestions of a product boycott.[6] Despite the criticism, the campaign is ongoing.[7]
As Kellogg promoted cereal for dinner to mitigate high grocery costs, dietitians differentiated between most conventional breakfast cereals and a narrow category of truly healthy options (e.g., whole-grain, low-sugar varieties).[8] They advised that only these specific 'healthy cereals,' supplemented with other nutrient-dense foods like milk, fruit, and nuts, could align with dietary recommendations for an evening meal.
