“This trademark leprechaun, which epitomizes one Irish stereotype, has been the mascot for the popular sugary cereal for almost 40 years.” – 12 Uncomfortably Racist Vintage Brand Mascots, Business Insider, Sep 8, 2011
AP – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating Lucky Charms cereal after dozens of customers complained of illness after eating it.
The FDA said Saturday it has received more than 100 complaints related to Lucky Charms so far this year.
“The FDA takes seriously any reports of possible adulteration of a food that may also cause illnesses or injury,” the agency said in a statement.
General Mills Inc., the Minneapolis-based company that makes Lucky Charms, Cheerios and other cereals, said it’s aware of those reports and takes them seriously.
[No word on whether the company will end its use of a racist caricature of a mythical Irishman, in the way that images of “Uncle Ben,” “Aunt Jemima,” and the Eskimo Pie man were banished by various food companies for using ethnic stereotypes in marketing. It’s been more than a decade since Business Insider called out General Mills for this overtly racist business practice. – HH]
But the company said its own investigation has not found any evidence of consumer illness linked to Lucky Charms.
General Mills said it encourages consumers to share their concerns directly with the company.
