Is Kellogg's ethical?

In 2021, Kellogg's announced it would permanently replace all 1,400 workers who went on strike over a two-tier pay system that paid newer hires less. The company also pledged in 2015 to remove artificial dyes from its US cereals by 2018 but never did, even though it reformulated the same products with natural colors in Canada and Europe.

Why are people boycotting Kellogg's?

A boycott campaign grew in 2024 after CEO Gary Pilnick suggested on CNBC that families struggling with grocery prices eat cereal for dinner to save money. Critics also point to the company replacing striking workers in 2021 and keeping artificial dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 in cereals such as Froot Loops and Apple Jacks.

What are the best ethical alternatives to Kellogg's?

Nature's Path is a family-owned, B Corp certified organic cereal maker with no artificial ingredients. Bob's Red Mill is 100% employee-owned and makes oatmeal and whole grain cereals, and GoMacro offers B Corp certified organic snack bars.

Kellogg's

Flagged · Avoid

The maker of Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, and Corn Flakes and one of the largest breakfast cereal companies in the world, with a record of replacing striking workers and keeping artificial dyes in its US cereals long after removing them abroad.

Last updated June 16, 2026

Reasons to avoid

Issues span:LaborConsumer

In 2021, around 1,400 Kellogg's factory workers went on strike for 77 days over a two-tier pay system that locked newer hires into permanently lower wages and benefits. After workers rejected its offer, Kellogg's announced it would permanently replace all of them, drawing public criticism from President Biden before the company eventually settled.cbsnews.com2021-12-07
In February 2024, Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnick told CNBC that families squeezed by high grocery prices could eat cereal for dinner to save money. The remark drew heavy backlash and a boycott campaign, with critics noting his pay package of roughly $1 million in salary plus up to $4.4 million in bonuses.nbcnews.com2024-02-26
Kellogg's promised in 2015 to remove artificial dyes from its US cereals by 2018 but never followed through, even as it reformulated the same products with natural colors in Canada and Europe. In October 2024, hundreds of protesters delivered petitions with more than 400,000 signatures to Kellogg's headquarters demanding it pull dyes such as Red 40 and Yellow 5 from Froot Loops and Apple Jacks.goodmorningamerica.com2024-10-16

Ethical alternatives

Breakfast Cereals

Nature's Path

Family-owned, certified B Corp organic cereal company. Wide range of breakfast cereals and granolas with no artificial anything.

✅ B-Corp🌿 Organic

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Bob's Red Mill

100% employee-owned grain mill. Oatmeal, whole grain cereals, and baking mixes from a company the founder gave to his workers.

✊ Worker Owned

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Snacks & Bars

GoMacro

Certified B Corp, family-founded, plant-based nutrition bars. Organic and made without artificial ingredients.

✅ B-Corp🌿 Organic

Visit →

Patagonia Provisions

Certified B Corp owned by the Patagonia Purpose Trust, where profits not reinvested go toward protecting the planet. Makes organic fruit and nut bars, trail mix, and other clean snacks.

✅ B-Corp🌿 Organic

Visit →

Common Questions

Is Kellogg's ethical?: In 2021, Kellogg's announced it would permanently replace all 1,400 workers who went on strike over a two-tier pay system that paid newer hires less. The company also pledged in 2015 to remove artificial dyes from its US cereals by 2018 but never did, even though it reformulated the same products with natural colors in Canada and Europe.
Why are people boycotting Kellogg's?: A boycott campaign grew in 2024 after CEO Gary Pilnick suggested on CNBC that families struggling with grocery prices eat cereal for dinner to save money. Critics also point to the company replacing striking workers in 2021 and keeping artificial dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 in cereals such as Froot Loops and Apple Jacks.
What are the best ethical alternatives to Kellogg's?: Nature's Path is a family-owned, B Corp certified organic cereal maker with no artificial ingredients. Bob's Red Mill is 100% employee-owned and makes oatmeal and whole grain cereals, and GoMacro offers B Corp certified organic snack bars.