A few months ago my Degree deodorant spoke to me. It told me to not be gay or effeminate.
This past week I had a hankerin’ for a candy bar, so I bought one. I unwrapped it and noticed a weird sentence printed in the wrapper. It said, “Candy is a treat. Please consume in moderation.”
My first reason was, well, surprise. Then I thought what an amazing “cover your ass” move this was by Hershey’s. I’d like someone to put a disclaimer on water (“Please do not drown.”), broccoli (“Eating too many vegetables may kill you.”), and of course, ketchup (“Contains tomatoes, which when eaten in mass quantities may turn skin bright red.”)
The whole thing was just ridiculous. After my initial reactions, I was mad. That’s right! Mad!
Hershey’s, if I want one bar, I’ll eat one. If I want 234, I’ll eat 234 (but might be really sick. Too bad for me.) But telling me to “consume in moderation” and then trying to sell me more of your candy on the tray the bar was on? Is stupid.
Posted in Food and Beverage
Dave Walls September 14, 2006, 10:44 am
Surprised, Paul?
This is the new way companies cover their ass against any possible lawsuits. It’s just like cigarette companies sponsoring non-smoking campaigns, alcohol companies preaching against drinking, fast food companies touting a healthy diet while supersizing your fries.. Preaching against the very things your company stands for has become a standard in American business.
The chocolate bar warning is more funny, than anything. When they start packaging a Reese’s cup with coupons for free celery, then I’ll believe them.
jk September 14, 2006, 1:01 pm
I tried Degree because that commercial with the women wearing black dresses without deoderant marks convinced me that it really could be invisible. I did not like it; I don’t think it’s as strong as Secret.
Regarding candy–I will try to be as PC as possible, even though I should not have to be: if you are overweight, it’s your fault. Hershey should know this!
Eat smarter, move around more, and stop blaming the suppliers. I know the first one was free and that’s how they got you hooked, but stop complaining and take charge of your life.
jk is bossy in the morning.
Ryan September 14, 2006, 1:44 pm
It’s just like cigarette companies sponsoring non-smoking campaigns
Actually, that’s just a dispicable way for cigarette companies to advertise their brand on television.
Paul September 14, 2006, 3:13 pm
“if you are overweight, it’s your fault.”
🙁
Greg September 14, 2006, 5:01 pm
Some people actaully don’t know that eating three or four candy bars, fast food, etc. is bad. Companies want to see people use, not abuse their product (and there are a few exceptions). So if they put a message to enjoy in moderation, I will take it at face value. So what if it coveres their ass in the legal department. Some people will see the message and actually cut back. That’s a good thing.
jk September 14, 2006, 6:12 pm
I knew I’d be making people angry with that statement. We control what we eat especially in this country where we have so many choices.
Paul September 14, 2006, 8:30 pm
I’m not sure I have the stomach (hah!) to go into a very deep debate on this Ping, which was a lighthearted/chocolatey-ranty one.
But I will say this, in pseudo-bullet-points:
– People are various sizes for various reasons; there is no one blanket statement anyone can make about why people are big (or small, or in-between). *None.* Also, people may be fat and fit, or fat and unfit, just as people can be thin and fit or thin and unfit.
– Americans’ relationships with food are fubar, big time.
– Big companies can be evil.
– It disgusts me that Hershey’s felt they *had* to do something like this to avoid braindead lawsuits that exploit our laughing stock legal system and make people look bad.
That’s all for now.
Ryan September 14, 2006, 8:43 pm
To add slightly to Paul’s comment, I’ve known plenty of healthy fat people while most of the candy bar-gorgers I’ve known have been quite thin.
Eat lots of food doesn’t always make people fat and conversely, people aren’t always fat if they eat a lot of food.
And really, if someone’s fat (for any reason), is it really anyone’s business?
Just my two unsolicited cents.
Steve A September 15, 2006, 12:18 am
Look folks, we live in a world of “Sue-Mania.” If someone can sue someone ELSE over something, it WILL be done.
Currently Burger King is in the midst of a problem because… get this… someone’s sueing them over CHARGRILLED FOOD. Well **** me to tears!!! Don’t they KNOW when they go to Burger King it’s TOUTED that the food’s chargrilled???
Okay, obviously you see I’m getting both pissed and personal. Yes, chargrilled meats have been shown to have carcenogens, but ya know what??? Even our barely biped ancestors decided the food cooked over fire beat raw food hands (paws?) down! Working in restaurants as I have, many of which serve grilled foods, I am not waiting for that moment that I need to attach a note to each steak saying: “Caution, consumption of grilled foods have been found to cause cancers in labratory rats.” F**k ’em!
Personal responsibility has gone the way of common sense. They are words in the dictionary that aren’t often seen in daily life.
Okay, I’m off my soapbox.
Ciao ,
jk September 15, 2006, 2:33 am
Ok, I will never again comment in the morning! I did not have my nice-filter on. I was not trying to insult anyone but I have clearly done so.
My point is that we choose what goes into our bodies and should not sue companies like McDonald’s etc if we choose to eat food that’s not healthy.
I am thin yet have high cholesterol. It was a scary discovery and I have made drastic changes to lower it, some of them difficult. My diner habit has been kicked and red meat is now evil to me, even though it still whispers to me from menus and advertisements.
Two of my HS classmates have already died from heart attacks and I want to protect myself in as many ways I can.
I really do love you guys.
Ryan September 15, 2006, 2:27 pm
We know, jk. Think of it as an educational moment for everyone. 🙂