Cheerios patronizes consumers with a section for “robust conversation”

Heather Callaghan

Activist Post

It’s been over a week since Cheerios had to remove a Pinterest App that actually exposed them for containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), being pro-GMO and for *General Mills’ funding over $1 million to “No on Proposition 37.” Consumers are still slamming Cheerios’ Facebook page in their “Recent Posts by Others” section. Actually, thousands of angry comments are now visible on the “face” of their page as well their other sections for comments.

But that’s not all – when Cheerios posted a retro commercial called “Grandma’s Visit” it was immediately slammed and removed from their Facebook videos. Consumers followed the vid to YouTube and commented on Cheerios’ YouTube page. More than 1200 users left negative comments on the Facebook vid before its removal saying things like “Nostalgic old commercials are no substitute for healthy ingredients. I won’t buy Cheerios until they are GMO-free.”

We know that they got the message – they haven’t posted on their Facebook page in over a week. Cheerios finally responded by patronizing consumers and carving out a special comment section for “robust conversation”. So, they aren’t backing down from their stance supporting GMO ingredients and their promotion.

New section for angry comments – Wow, Cheerios really understands me!

A short capture of Facebook response to “We’re Listening” Click to Enlarge

YouTube Vid & Top Comments

The heart of the matter surrounds consumer rage over big food companies’ deceptive health marketing, meanwhile, actively funding efforts to stop the labeling of GM foods – the paying consumers’ desire for greater transparency. It’s like someone smiling while flipping you the bird behind the back – or taking your money and watching you poison yourself. Profits over principles – and consumers won’t forgive this time.

Alisa Gravitz, CEO and president of Green America said: