Kashi (company)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food industry |
| Founded | 1984 in La Jolla, California, United States |
| Founder | Phil Tauber, Gayle Tauber |
| Headquarters | Solana Beach , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada |
Key people | David Denholm (CEO) |
| Products | Whole grain cereals, plant-based food products, granola, snack bars, fruit strips and chews |
| Parent | WK Kellogg Co |
Kashi specializes in producing whole grain cereals and plant-based food products derived from traditional farming methods. Established in La Jolla in 1984 by entrepreneurs Phil and Gayle Tauber, the brand was acquired by Kellogg's in 2000. Kashi’s portfolio includes approximately 100 items available throughout the United States and Canada. Its initial cereal, which was discontinued in 2021, was recognized by the slogan "Seven Whole Grains on a Mission." The brand name is a fusion of "kashruth," referring to kosher or pure food, and "Kushi," honoring Michio Kushi, a key figure in American macrobiotic philosophy. The founders created the company to appeal to health-conscious consumers ranging from bodybuilders to followers of macrobiotic diets.
History
Originating as a family-operated enterprise, Kashi emphasized straightforward, nutrition-focused ingredients and played a pioneering role in health food cooperatives before expanding into mainstream retail channels. The 2000 acquisition by Kellogg's represented a strategic move by Kellogg's to enter the natural and organic food market segments.
Kashi grew its brand through acquisitions such as Stretch Island Fruit Co in 2005, known for fruit strips and chews, and Bear Naked Granola in 2008, which produces granola and snack bars. Both subsidiaries are headquartered alongside Kashi in Solana Beach, California.
In 2012, Kashi announced plans to eliminate genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from its GOLEAN cereals and Chewy Granola Bars by 2014, achieving full Non-GMO Project Verification for all products by 2016.
After the 2023 corporate division of Kellogg Company, Kashi became part of WK Kellogg Co, maintaining its dedication to innovation in plant-based offerings within the global breakfast and snack sectors.
Location
In 2013, Kellogg’s consolidated Kashi operations with its cereal brands by relocating to Battle Creek, Michigan. However, due to declining sales in 2014, Kashi’s headquarters were moved back to southern California’s Solana Beach area to better serve the natural foods market. At this stage, Kashi was positioned as an independent natural food entity that included Bear Naked and Stretch Island Fruit Co. Under the leadership of CEO David Denholm—who had previously managed Kashi during the 2000s—the company functions autonomously and remains one of the largest players in the natural foods industry worldwide.
Controversies
In April 2012, a grocery store in Rhode Island removed Kashi products after discovering they contained genetically engineered and non-organic ingredients, triggering consumer backlash over Kellogg’s use of "natural" claims. The general manager of Kashi explained that the FDA does not regulate the usage of the term "natural."
That same year, Kellogg contributed $790,000 opposing California’s Proposition 37, which aimed to mandate labeling for genetically modified foods.
In 2013, Kashi was subject to class-action lawsuits accusing it of deceptive marketing with "all natural" and "nothing artificial" labels on items containing ingredients such as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Alpha-Tocopherol Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, and soy processed with hexane. The court approved two consumer classes from California who purchased these products after August 24, 2007.