PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Kellogg's has apologized for racially insensitive artwork on its Corn Pops cereal boxes.
The art in question on the back of the box showed a shopping mall filled with colorful cartoon characters shaped like corn kernels. The activity asks Corn Pops eaters to find the "ninja" characters who are juggling, snorkeling, sunbathing, taking a selfie, skipping rope and stilt walking.
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It caught the attention of Saladin Ahmed, author of the Marvel Comics series "Black Bolt." He found the only brown-skinned character in the scene.
hey @KelloggsUS why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor? this is teaching kids racism. pic.twitter.com/Nh7M7IFawW
— Saladin Ahmed (@saladinahmed) October 24, 2017
"Why is literally the only brown corn pop on the whole cereal box the janitor?" Ahmed wrote Tuesday on Twitter. "This is teaching kids racism."
Kellogg's took to Twitter a few hours later and offered an apology, affirming its commitment to "diversity & inclusion."
Kellogg is committed to diversity & inclusion. We did not intend to offend – we apologize. The artwork is updated & will be in stores soon.
— Kellogg's (@KelloggsUS) October 24, 2017
"We did not intend to offend -- we apologize," Kellogg's replied. "The artwork is updated & will be in stores soon."