The gender identity of a mascot for a beloved cereal brand is at the center of recent social media claims.
“Kellogg’s spokesperson announces Rice Krispie (sic) mascot ‘Pop’ is now a trans woman,” read the headline of the alleged CNN article posted on Instagram on May 21.
The claim prompted dismay, anger and pledges to stop purchasing Kellogg’s cereal from some commenters.
“They are really trying to force this on us… I’m not (OK) with it.. Kellogg’s won’t get another dime from me,” read one comment on the post, which received more than 1,000 likes
The claim also spread on Facebook and Twitter, racking up several thousand shares across the platforms.
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But no such announcement has been made by the company, and the alleged article does not appear on CNN's website.
USA TODAY reached out to social media users who shared the claim for comment.
A USA TODAY review of Kellogg’s website did not find any such announcement, which was further confirmed by the company.
“We have made no changes to the Rice Krispies mascots, Snap, Crackle and Pop,” Kellogg's spokesperson Kris Bahner told USA TODAY in a May 23 email.
Similarly, the article could not be found in USA TODAY’s review of CNN’s website on May 23. The most recent article regarding Rice Krispies came in December...
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