Kellogg's will use laser to burn logo onto individual corn flakes to stamp out fakes

The Daily Mail (U.K.) / various ^ | October 13,2009

[Stoat]

Kellogg's has developed a hi-tech method to stamp out imitation cereals - by branding individual flakes of corn with the company logo.
 

The new technology enables the firm - which makes 67million boxes of Corn Flakes every year - to burn the famous signature onto individual flakes using lasers.
 

Kellogg's plans to produce a number one-off trial batches of the branded flakes to test the system.

Bosses will then consider inserting a proportion of branded flakes into each box to guarantee the cereal's origins and protect against imitation products.
 

If the system is successful it could be used on Kellogg's other best-loved brands including Frosties, Special K, Crunchy Nut and Bran Flakes.
 

The laser uses a concentrated beam of light which focuses the energy within the beam, down to a very small spot on the Corn Flake.

Mirror galvanometers are then used to steer the beam creating multiple vectors that reflect the laser from different angles and ultimately make up the image.
 

The energy density within the laser spot diameter is sufficient enough to give the surface of the flake a darker, toasted appearance without changing the taste.
 

Kellogg's embarked on the project to reinforce that they don't make cereals for any other companies and to fire a shot across the bows of makers of 'fake flakes'.

 

[Stoat]

My apologies for the severe editing of this article....this was done in order to remain in compliance with Free Republic rules pertaining to articles from the UK Daily Mail.  Please click on the main article link to read the full story.

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Also:

Kellogg's to laser-brand individual Corn Flakes - Telegraph

[gathersnomoss]

...this is going to be good...

[Stoat]

The energy density within the laser spot diameter is sufficient enough to give the surface of the flake a darker, toasted appearance without changing the taste.

Soylent Ping ;-)

[GraceG]

How long before it is used to burn ID tats onto everyone?

[RebelTXRose]

Sooooo, a box of flakes will now cost $10??? Generic - we can’t tell the difference!

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[Dewey Revoltnow]

Watch out fer corn flake rustlers. If the flake has a Rockin K brand on it, then hands off pardner.

[Lazamataz]

First comes freezerburned food.

Now we gotta worry about laserburned food.

[smokingfrog]

This sounds like something from the Onion.

[thefactor]

[La Lydia]

I have an even better idea. How about burning a little picture of Obama on each flake? Mmm Mmm Mmm.

[Stoat]

How long before it is used to burn ID tats onto everyone?

ding ding ding ding ding! we have a winner!

"Don't mind that momentary burning sensation folks, just keep walking down the hallway and soon you'll be done to return to your business"

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Sounds flaky to me.

[Larry Lucido]

We all need more brand in our diet.

[Constitution Day]

Oh good grief. We have one at work that we use for burning serial numbers, bar codes, etc. on products. Marking lasers have been around for years.

I think if you tried that on human skin, the results would be MOST unpleasant.

Sometimes a laser is just a laser.

[Constitution Day]

LOL!!

[GourmetDan]

"Bosses will then consider inserting a proportion of branded flakes into each box to guarantee the cereal's origins and protect against imitation products."

Apparently they are assuming that the copycats can't do the same thing?

Must be an 'upper' management idea...

[Carpe Cerevisi]

Ooooh...corny.

[Wolfie]

Doh!

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Ever wonder what the logo on an M&M costs?