Kellogg Co. will stop using mercury batteries in promotional premiums as part of an agreement with New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. Kellogg also will help consumers recycle mercury batteries in past premiums.
The brouhaha began when Connecticut AG Richard Blumenthal earlier this month asked Kellogg to stop shipments of cereal carrying Spider-Man themed toys with mercury batteries. Kellogg pulled shipments from Connecticut and New Hampshire, which have specific laws governing mercury batteries. But Kellogg refused to stop shipments to Westchester County in New York, which has no such law. Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano threatened a boycott. Kellogg shipped 17 million Spidey-Signal toys as part of its national promotion via Frankel, Chicago.
Under its agreement with Spitzer, Battle Creek, MI-based Kellogg will phase out distribution of all promotional products containing mercury by Sept. 30, 2004; provide consumers with a prepaid package to return promotional toys containing mercury; recycle the mercury batteries in toys returned by consumers; and post mercury disposal information on its Web site and via a toll-free number.
“We are taking steps beyond what is required by law to meet the high standards that consumers have come to expect of Kellogg Co.,” said CEO Carlos Gutierrez in a statement. “Today’s decision demonstrates that Kellogg is doing its part to address an issue that’s important to consumers and the environment.”
Network
