Disgraced ex-MP Fiona Onasanya slams Kellogg’s for using a MONKEY as the mascot for ‘brown’ Coco Pops but ‘three white boys’ on Rice Krispies
Coco Pops #CocoPops
They’ve been a much-loved breakfast staple for decades with one of the most recognisable mascots in TV advertising.
But Coco Pops’ trademark monkey has come under suspicion from disgraced former Labour MP Fiona Onasanya, who has seemingly implied there are racist undertones to the Kellogg’s character.
Ms Onasanya, who was jailed for three months in January 2019 after she was convicted of lying to police about a speeding ticket, says that there is little difference between Coco Pops and sister cereal brand Rice Krispies beyond their colour and flavour.
The former Peterborough MP revealed she has emailed Kellogg’s UK office for clarification on why Rice Krispies have ‘three white boys’ as a mascot whereas chocolate-flavoured Coco Pops is represented by a monkey.
Coco Pops’ trademark monkey mascot has come under suspicion from disgraced former Labour MP Fiona Onasanya, who has seemingly implied there may be racial undertones to the Kellogg’s character
Ms Onasanya, who was jailed for three months in January 2019 after she was convicted of lying to police about a speeding ticket, says that there is little difference between Coco Pops and sister cereal brand Rice Krispies beyond their colour and flavour
The former Peterborough MP revealed she has emailed Kellogg’s UK office for clarification on why Rice Krispies have ‘three white boys’ as a mascot whereas Coco Pops has a monkey
She wrote on Twitter: ‘@KelloggsUK, as you are yet to reply to my email – Coco Pops and Rice Krispies have the same compòsition (except for the fact CP’s are brown and chocolate flavoured)…
‘So I was wondering why Rice Krispies have three white boys representing the brand and Coco Pops have a monkey?’
Her comments caused ‘Coco Pops’ to trend, with more than 1,500 posts made on the topic. Several social media users criticised Ms Onasanya’s query, accusing her of being ‘offended at everything’.
The ex-MP later tweeted: ‘Well, given John Harvey Kellogg co-founded the Race Betterment Foundation (the Foundation’s main purpose was to study the cause of and cure for ‘race degeneracy’), it would be remiss of me not to ask….’
A Kellogg’s spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘It’s important that we are all talking more about how we can build racial equality. Kellogg stands in support of the black community.
‘We do not tolerate discrimination and believe that people of all races, genders, backgrounds, sexual orientation, religions, capabilities and beliefs should be treated with the utmost dignity and respect.
Her comments caused ‘Coco Pops’ to trend, with more than 1,500 posts made on the topic
Several social media users criticised Ms Onasanya’s query, accusing her of being ‘offended at everything’
‘The monkey mascot that appears on both white and milk chocolate Coco Pops, was created in the 1980s to highlight the playful personality of the brand.
‘As part of our ambition to bring fun to the breakfast table, we have a range of characters that we show on our cereal boxes, including tigers, giraffes, crocodiles, elves and a narwhal.’
Ms Onasanya had been jailed in January 2019 for perverting the course of justice but spent just a month in prison.
She has since complained in a 122-page memoir about a lack of almond milk and ‘measly meals like Spaghetti hoops’ during her time behind bars.
The ex-Peterborough MP made her remarks in a book, titled Snakes And Adders.
In one passage, she recalled being ridiculed during her first breakfast behind bars.
She claimed another inmate shouted ‘This ain’t Costa’ after she asked for almond milk or ‘soya if there’s no alternatives’.
She also complained of a lack of sleep while imprisoned at HMP Bronzefield but said she now hopes to ‘become a voice’ for women she met in prison.
Ms Onasanya became the first sitting MP in nearly thirty years to be jailed when she was convicted of lying to police about a speeding ticket.
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