Often, food consumers are ignorant. No, not rude. Just uninformed regarding facts. Many food shoppers lack nutrition knowledge or health awareness in general. For example, there is a constant trend for consumers to evaluate foods based solely on sugar content. This is most prevalent in the breakfast food market, specifically cereals, where sugar is the vexing word that drives shoppers absolutely insane.
Overconcerned, hypocritical parents try to attack cereal brands every day. One famous example occurred a few years ago, when Kellogg’s introduced a new cereal to replace Rice Krispies. The new cereal design included multiple grains (not just rice), more essential nutrients, and supplies were sourced locally to benefit the economy. But unfortunately, sugar needed to be added to the recipe totaling 9g per serving. Outrage ensued. At times, good, well-intended consumers make bad nutrition decisions, as in the case with Kellogg’s Rice Krispies. The new product was initially rejected by consumers because of the higher sugar content when it should have been praised for its nutritious makeover.
Is too much sugar bad? Of course. That’s why just this month the CEO of Kellogg’s Gary Pilnick talked about lowering sugar content of Fruit Loops and Frosted Flakes. Even CEO’s are terrified of what uninformed shoppers fret about. The bottom line is that consumers need to drop the double standard when evaluating products. Most two-faced shopping complainers battling the almighty sugar monster claim to be “protecting the health” of their child, yet provide the same child unfortified ice cream, candy, soda, blah, blah, blah without hesitation or concern. Consumers need to learn to evaluate food products based on complete nutritional value, not just sweetness. To do otherwise is just rude.