Laser-etched Corn Flakes of the future?

Posted Oct 15th 2009 12:30PM by Mark Fightmaster
Filed under: Rumors, Kellogg Co (K)

Let's file this under something that didn't need to happen (kind of like a Bob Dylan Christmas album) -- if the story is real. Apparently, Kellogg (NYSE: K) is planning to battle the rampant counterfeit cornflake market by individually laser etching its name into each of your cornflakes. Seriously, the Guardian quotes Kellogg's as stating, "Now you'll be able to tell your Corn Flakes from you corn fakes!"

So, is it real? It seems like a good number of bloggers feel that this is a hoax, but there are others that are covering the story like it is true news. So are we dealing with a master hoax or reality? We will find out in the coming days, I am sure, but let's treat this like it is real. Could you imagine personalized Corn Flakes? Perhaps we could call them (insert your own name here) Flakes, with your last name etched into each corn flakey little morsel. The possibilities are endless: advertising, wedding proposals, birthday wishes. Of course someone would have to read the flakes before they get soggy.

Of course, my question is this: if this is indeed real, is it necessary? I mean, how many times have you been eating some sort of corn flake cereal and wondered: Are these toasty flakes real corn flakes? I mean, perhaps this is a valid argument, but I just can't think that this plan will be cost effective. I mean individually laser etching each corn flake will cost some money, so if this story is real, watch for some repercussions in the cost department.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you think this story is real or some elaborate hoax? I know what I think, but that doesn't interest me -- leave your comments below.

Tags: breakfast, cereal, corn flakes, hoax, hoaxes, inthenews