Kashi (company)

Kashi
Subsidiary
Genre Breakfast cereals, snacks, entrées, and waffles
Founded 1984
Founder Philip and Gayle Tauber
Headquarters La Jolla, California, U.S.
Number of employees
 70[1]
Parent Kellogg Company
Slogan 7 whole grains on a mission
Website www.kashi.com

Kashi /ˈkæʃi/ is an American food company. Founded in October 1984 by Philip and Gayle Tauber,[2] the La Jolla–based company sought a nutritionally balanced breakfast and began experimenting with different whole grains and seeds. Kashi was purchased by Kellogg Company in 2000 and was independently operated in La Jolla, California[2] until March 2013 when the Kellogg Company moved Kashi headquarters to Battle Creek, Michigan. It was announced on August 1, 2014 that Kashi will be moving back to La Jolla but no timetable was given.[3]

After considering names such as "Gold'n Grains" and "Graino", the company decided on Kashi, a synthesis of "kashruth" (kosher) and "Kushi", the last name of the Japanese couple who introduced the macrobiotic dietary regimen to America.[2]

Kashi specializes in breakfast cereals; energy bars; crackers; frozen entrées including pizza and breakfast foods; as well as snack foods. The company advertises their products as a blend of seven whole grains and sesame and emphasizes high protein and fiber content.

Controversies

In April 2012, a grocer in Rhode Island found out Kashi used genetically engineered, non-organic ingredients, and pulled Kashi products from his store's shelves and later posted pictures and notification through social networking tools. Some customers began to call into question Kellogg's use of the term "natural" on Kashi product labels.[4] Kashi's general manager responded by stating, "The FDA has chosen not to regulate the term 'natural.'"[4]

In 2012, the parent company of Kashi, the Kellogg Company, donated $790,000 to the NO on Prop. 37 campaign, which asked voters if they wanted foods containing genetically modified organisms to be labeled in California.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ "Kashi: Meet Us". Kashi Company. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Kashi: Meet Us: History". Kashi Company. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  3. ↑ http://www.bakingbusiness.com/articles/news_home/Financial-Performance/2014/08/Kellogg_installs_new_leadershi.aspx?ID=%7BC6ABCEA3-7930-49BD-ADCE-47E1C7559A39%7D&e=casey@littlerooster.net&cck=1
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Weise, Elizabeth (April 29, 2012). "Kashi cereal's 'natural' claims stir anger". USA Today. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  5. ↑ http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2012/10/california-prop-37-monsanto-gmo-labeling
  6. ↑ http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Proposition_37,_Mandatory_Labeling_of_Genetically_Engineered_Food_%282012%29

External links