Remember October 2003, Cadbury India was hit by a huge controversy. Some of its products were infested with worms. The company worked hard to get out of the huge negativity the incident, or several of them, in Bangalore especially, got them into. They even roped in Amitabh Bachchan who extolled views across TV channels about the virtues of their chocolates and how spic and span the factory was and how it was packed in layers, under hygienic conditions to bring to you a product that is safe and ‘bug’-free, so to say.

It did come as a shock to a lot then, for, most of these transnational giants come to India with a promise. A promise to deliver to the deprived Indians world-class products that they can buy right here, and not beg an uncle returning from an overseas trip and somehow lay your hands on a packet of Kraft cheese, or Toblerone chocolates or Head & Shoulder shampoo, or even a pair of Levi’s jeans.

But it seems most of these biggies, when it comes to India, forget to adhere to the norms that they painstakingly follow abroad, taking the Indian consumer, or perhaps even the system here for granted. The latest to join the list of biggies offering worm-infested product to hapless Indians is Kelloggs India, the company that wants to change the breakfast habit of us Indians.

Archana Sanjay in Bangalore opened a fresh pack of the company’s Chocos product, poured it into a bowl for her 3-year-old son Aarav and just as she was about to look away and let the child enjoy the product from the company that offers ‘world’s favourite cereal’, she heard him squeal.

To her horror, the ‘quality’ product had a worm crawling inside the chocolatey pod that Aarav was about to devour.

The product was packed on March 9, 2014 and was to be consumed within 9 months.

Horrified, she snatched it from the child. But if you thought that the single pod alone was infested, you are wrong. Each and every pod of the product had the creepy crawly insect. Shocked, she went to the market and just to check, picked up another packet. The story repeated itself there too.

Clearly, the company missed an opportunity here. When it claimed that this product is “a nourishing breakfast to take on an action packed and fun filled day in school. That’s because Chocos is now made with Whole Grain, which gives 11 essential vitamins and minerals, and fibre” it forgot to mention that their premium product also offers protein, live one at that.

Archana is approaching the consumer forum with her complain and all evidence, and that even the product available on the shelves currently is infested.

How utterly disgusting!

Why do these companies treat Indian consumers almost with disdain? Sure, some will argue that Indian companies had been giving us such substandard and unhygienic product since ages, that we should not complain. Not fair. These biggies come into India with a promise that they will offer us quality that is world class. They get permission to set up operation here by playing on the emotional quotient, that the Indians have now arrived, and deserve to get world-class products, right here. Of course, they are never bothered about profits that among the fastest growing consumer markets in the world offers, I am sure, for their intention is to make us healthy.

However, even as one disgusts, almost pukes at the thought of what if the child had consumed it. Actually, who knows. It is possible other kids were not as fortunate, for, doesn’t it often happen that the parent pours it into a bowl and gets busy while the child plays around, without being supervised. This episode has hurt that trust. It should.

And even as I write this, I often wonder why should we let go of our own healthy, and fresh, option and go in for these processed items. Irrespective of their tall claims, they are not as healthy, or nutritious. How can this product, for example, compare with the spongy idlis, the healthiest fast food in the world, or light parathas, which, even with a little butter, would be better off than worm-infested, processed food on offer by these biggies.

For me, a paratha or a roti or South Indian tiffin alternatives like upma or idli or dosa anyday over KFC or Big Mac.

On August 2, Kellog sent us the following statement in response to this blog post:

Kellogg received a consumer complaint in one of its products — Chocos Moons and Stars. We regard every consumer query or complaint with utmost importance. Kellogg has been in touch with the consumer and we are yet to receive the complaint sample. We look forward to receiving the sample at the earliest. In the interim, we have already checked the samples of the same batch both at the factory and market and found them in line with our quality standards, and hence this appears to be an isolated instance. As a responsible organization, we effectively address the root cause of all consumer complaints, irrespective of whether it originates in the supply chain or in homes.