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Kids may still get H1N1 if they eat their Cocoa Krispies, but the virus will probably lodge deep in their brand new cavities.
1 replies
Kids may still get H1N1 if they eat their Cocoa Krispies, but the virus will probably lodge deep in their brand new cavities.
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Obligatory xkcd reference:
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I thought Vitamin C consumption correlated strongly with a healthy immune system. Maybe more Vitamin C helps with the swine, maybe it doesn't - but it doesn't claim that.
Even the justifications for \"immunity\" - vitamins and such - are right next to the word, and in a good sized font.
But, I suppose I should be glad that the city of SF doesn't have anything more pressing to deal with.
@nbs2: No, you need a certain level of Vitamin C, which varies by individual, to keep your body functioning properly. Consuming more above and beyond that level will NOT help defeat the Swine flu, any other flu, the common cold, AIDS, or any other disease, infection or malady.
This box is clearly designed to confuse parents in the hopes that they will feel less guilty about buying sugary crap for their children. It shouldn't be illegal, but a responsible company that actually cared about the quality of the product it was marketing wouldn't do this.
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@harvey_birdman: Excess Vitamin C is excreted. Your body doesn't store it. So adding more won't help you.
You're absolutely right; this cereal is crap. They're just trying to sell it.
@harvey_birdman: Then what would the responsible company do?
On one hand, people fret over the quality of food that children are consuming outside of school; on the other, people are fretting that companies fortify their \"appealing\" product with some sort of nutrition.
Would it be better to have the kids eat oatmeal/eggs for breakfast? Sure. but, if they are going to eat crap, make it healthier. The sign says, \"you could get the Cocoa Pebbles, but at least you get some goodnees from our stuff.\"
As for Vitamin C, if all it does is help the body function properly (is that a holistic properly or an immune system properly?), then perhaps we need to lay down some sort of smackdown on most of the pharm aisle and the OJ folks for pushing Vitamin C as the immunity booster
@nbs2: Yes, we do. The problem is that the \"supplement\" industry got a law through that says they can make all sorts of dubious claims about vitamins and such as long as they say things like \"supports a healthy immune system\" rather than \"improves your immune system\" or \"makes you immune to X.\" Even things with known value get that sort of hand-waving: my vitamin D and calcium supplements don't mention that vitamin D is needed for healthy teeth and bones (and rickets is a non-trivial problem for people without enough vitamin D).
Of course, the amount of vitamins in most of those pills is way more than you need for the proven benefits.
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@nbs2: If you're seeing health claims on OJ, I got no problem with extending the smackdown. \"Contains Vitamin ∞\" I'm fine with, presuming it's true; making an unproven health claim for what the food does? Smackdown-worthy.
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@floraposte: Uh oh. Now I fear that I am severely lacking in Vitamin ∞. I'm good on Vitamin π and λ though, I think.
Can't just about any cereal help improve your immunity? I mean a healthy diet should equate to a good immune system.
@JediJohn82: Some cereals provide better nutrition than others. Although I don't know definitively where Cocoa Krispies ranks on the \"nutritious cereal scale\", I'm pretty sure it's far below Shredded Wheat, but perhaps slightly higher than \"a bowlful of refined sugar\".
@JediJohn82: i dont think chocolate coated crispies are particularly healthy. they are not the end of the world either, but i would not count on that being a big part of my \"balanced\" diet.
I believe that this product could give me limited immunity from hunger.
After spraying the vitamins on it, they probably sprayed more sugar (err ... HFCS) to mask the vitaminy taste.
I thought that people most at risk for complications for swine flu were those with the most robust immune systems...
(And paradoxically, those with compromised immune systems.)
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I don't know that they're referring to swine flu. More likely that they're trying to cash in on the immunity buzz that's coming out of the yogurt companies.
@calquist:
It's both. They say that the probiotic stuff strengthens immunity and helps with digestion.
But this one is specifically going for that market. [danactive.com]
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Well at least it's Kellogs making those claims and not one of those sketchy nutritional supplement manufacturers.
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I'm sorry, but now I just want Cocoa Crispies.
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Do not assume that \"Immunity\" refers to your kids health. Consumption of this grants one the status of \"Ambassador from Wacky Land\", and thus your kids will have diplomatic immunity. It's a common mistake. We all make assumptions. Unfortunately, the status of ambassador is limited to just a few seconds, so constant consumption of the product will insure your little one's legal status.
\"Kellogg developed this product in response to consumers expressing a need for more positive nutrition.\"
This shows where the cereal companies don't get it. They don't think the issue is whether something is actually nutritious and beneficial, which is what consumers want. The cereal companies think the issue is whether their marketing campaigns can convince people that their bad cereal actually might have a positive benefit somehow. The \"positive\" they speak of is \"positive marketing\" not \"positive actual nutrition\".
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@Al Swearengen: How many consumers actually 'express a need for positive nutrition' to Kellogg? Are they part of the silent majority? Are they the same people that contact the networks and cable channels and say we want on-screen text and 20 minutes of commercials in an hour-long show? Because every time I complain to the networks that's the answer I get. People like it and want it.
And if people are asking for good nutrition in their food, Cocoa Puffs are not the answer, no matter what they add to it or spray on it. Develop a new cereal that has the good stuff (provable good stuff, not the snake oil stuff) in it.
@Al Swearengen: I asked them about their Apple Jacks redo.
\"Kellogg is taking steps to help our consumers get more fiber in their daily diet. Our actions build on our 100-year legacy of nutrition leadership and strengthen our commitment to meeting consumers' health and nutrition needs.\"
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@Al Swearengen: This is pretty much the basis of marketing as it is though - convince people there's a need. Convince people that something is good for them, or that the competition is bad for them. Convince people something tastes good.
It's no surprise that eating a healthy, portion controlled 3 meals a day will help keep YOU healthy. And, in the proper serving, coco crispies isn't really that bad for you.
The issue though is that people don't eat healthy--they don't eat the proper portions in proportion to how much they burn off. It's like the \"Fat Free\" gimmick. Just because there's no fat doesn't mean the sugar won't turn into fat if you don't burn it off.
It's a sleazy marketing ploy akin to Subway's 'heart-healthy' subs that virtually no one with any level headed consumer will buy solely for their 'health value'.
@harvey_birdman: Well, the serving size on the box is 3/4 of a cup. With 1/2 cup of skim milk, that's 160 calories. I'd say a proper portion size for cereal for an adult is 200 calories, so that's just shy of 1 cup of Cocoa Krispies, with a smidge over 1/2 cup of SKIM milk.
I'd imagine that most people who are not counting their calories would pour a much bigger bowl than that, and I would also guess that there are a lot of people who drink 2% on a regular basis as well.
I drink whole milk. Skim and 2% suck. But for cereal, yeah, skim or 2% is fine. I won't notice it anyhow with all the sugary goodness. I was never allowed it as a child, but as a college student, I am actually able to eat sugar cereal (in an actual portion size, of course).
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@dragonprism: Definitely agree with your portion size bit. I think that we Americans are out of touch with the proper protion sizes we should be consuming, especially when you actually read the labels and recommended portion sizes.
Don't agree so much on the subway rant as their fare is still much healtheir than other fast food joints. Is it still fast food? Sure, and it has some sodium to boot. But are those subs with 7 grams of fat or less a healtheir alternative for people that want fast food? Absolutely.
@mazzic1083: Yes, but how often do people get the standard meal that actually is the 'heart association approved meal'.
Yes, it's healthier--but only if you get it a certain way. Much like cereal, if you eat it a certain way (ie proper portion size.)
We, being smart consumers, realize the difference between manipulated advertisements and actual facts. The public as a whole do not.
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Well duh.... if your kid is inside eating Cocoa Kripies all day, they can't be outside getting the Swine Flu.
By Kellogg's logic I could claim that Cocoa Krispies keeps tigers away.
- Oh, how does it work?
It doesn't work.
- Uh huh.
It's just a sugary cereal.
- Uh huh.
But I don't see any tigers around, do you?
- Kellogg's, I would like to buy your cereal.
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@thehouserules: Now that's just silly. Everybody knows it's Frosted Flakes that keeps the tigers away.
The FDA needs to somehow get a hold of all these food and diet suppliment claims before someone is seriously hurt. As it is now, any product can say \"studies suggest..\" and claim anything they want.
Kellogg's has taken this to a new low! Shame on them.
@PLATTWORX: But that's the thing, when the Cheerio's bit came up, the FDA said \"change the box or we regulate you.\" General Mills then said \"here's the clinical studies. Go ahead, regulate.\" The FDA looked it over and said \"Ok, we're good.\" G-M had actually done the studies regarding soluble fiber in foods and cholesterol. Kellogs looks like they found a new tool in Photoshop and wanted to do something with it.
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I can see how it can improve immunity, if the alternative is starvation.
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I really do want Cocoa $@$%$ Krispies. I really really do.
Not as much as pumpkin though.
*Sigh*
@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: Wait, pumpkin krispies or just pumpkin? Because I've never had just pumpkin.
Pumpkin pie, sure. Pumpkin seeds, absolutely. But pumpkin krispies or just pumpkin? I'm not so sure about that
@mazzic1083: Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, soup, cake, and yes, just pumpkin. Roasted pumpkin is awesome! It is soo good. I was introduced to it in Australia.
Oh, and no on the pumpkin krispies, but if they had a sweet nutmeg flavor I bet they would be good too, lol!
I have really bad pumpkin cravings in the fall. Mild cravings through the rest of the year, but pumpkins are everywhere this time of year and I want to EAT them!
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@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: I'm one box of cupcake liners away from making pumpkin cupcakes. Mmm. Come to mama, punpkin goodness!
@JulesNoctambule: Oh dude! Would you post the recepie, or is it a mix?
Or... You could just send me a cupcake.
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More vitamins in food children eat is already a good thing. How about they put somemore in the non-sugary cereals that I traditionally buy for my kids to help them as well without the crazy sugar rush.
@Rask: If you children are eating healthy cereals like quaker oat squares, your kids are already getting WAY more vitamins than the average kid eating this cereal. Also TONS of readily-digestable fiber!
@Rask: Why? There's little evidence that children are running short of most of them, and extra doesn't bring any advantage. It's just a way to suggest the manufactured products aren't the piles of pander that they are.
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They have this on regular rice krispies as well. I saw it, turned to my wife and said \"I can do anything I want because I have IMMUNITY!\"
\"Helps support your child's IMMUNITY!!\"
So do vaccinations.
Guess which one I'm choosing for my children?
Jonas Salk would be disgusted.
I thought it was Count Chocula that saved you from vampires.
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Bah. They should label the cereal \"PROLONGS YOUR EFFING LIFE YOU MORONS!\"
...since eating *something* vs. eating *nothing* will, indeed, prolong your life. Every food product in existence could be marketed that way.
I hear that Kellog's is backing a sequel to The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. In the sequel, the boy is able to come out of the bubble, thanks to Coca Krispies.
they gotta clamp down that BS.
It's cereal quackery.
Next claim...Rice Krispies will help prevent ANOREXIA.
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I guess I better run out and get some. I've never had a flu shot..at least not in my adult years.
It promises immunity from prosecution. It's endorsed by three out of four district attorneys. It's also milder when used in a water pipe.
It's got ELECTROLYTES.
Reminds me of 7up advertising its ANTIOXIDANTS, (i.e. Vitamins C and E). If you haven't seen this yet, searching google images for \"7up antioxidant\" will bring up a bunch of photos.
Frosted Flakes! Now lead-free!
Immunity against what?
@Covertghost: [en.wikipedia.org]
Vitamins A, C, and E are good for your immune system. We're close to the winter months. I'm going to guess that's why they're boasting \"immunity\" in big letters.
But to answer your question: disease.
I can't decide which is worse: being fooled by the \"Immunity\" claim, or feeding children this milk pollutant in the first place. I personally don't see them pulling anyone away from All-Bran; they're probably just poaching the Count Chocula crowd. (The good news is these kids will be covered for their diabetes treatments when they're older!)
I'm not too worried. The words \"help\" and \"support\" are weasel-words. The manufacturer never claimed that cocoa-krispies provide immunity, they just implied that they \"help support\" immunity. Hell, even water does that. What's unfortunate is that they decided to target non-savvy consumers who were likely taken in by this BS.
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I dont see anything on the package mentioning swine flu at all. Just a general statement that it can improve immunity. Its a general and vague statement
@Gorphlog: a bowl of cocoa krispies and a glass of juicy juicy are a part of a complete healthy breakfast!
[www.juicyjuice.com]
@Gorphlog: Exactly. Nowhere on there does it say (or even hint) that it will save kids from swine flu. For all they know they're just talking about what ever vitamins and what have you are in the cereal. I've seen other cereals and misc food products saying what it helps in and at the time there was no swine flu epidemic. I guess just another time waster story.
@Gorphlog:
It's the new buzzword!
@Gorphlog: I think they're hinting that the timing of the label was uncanny and meant to prey on parent fears of H1N1 to boost sales.
As for the claim, I doubt the cereal will do anything to \"boost immunity\" unless the child eating it had a deficiency to begin with.