Negative Imagery Continues in Advertising

By Carol Harblin (CHHC)

Besides color, what does the Pink Panther have to do with Sweet-n-Low? What does Spiderman have to do with children’s snacks? There is no correlation with any of them, it is just a manipulative way to get consumers to buy their products, regardless of what is in them and regardless of how harmful it may be.

Joe Camel and the Marlboro man used to promote the cool factor of smoking and cigarettes. Now, smoking is banned in some restaurants (in certain states) and clubs. It was decided that the Marlboro man was a bad influence after all and shouldn’t be associated with a product that is detrimental to our health. So, why are food items that are being inundated with harmful additives being marketed in flashy and manipulative ways for people too?

Chinese food used to have monosodium glutamate (MSG) in their food, but they were mandated to remove the MSG from their menu because it was causing harmful effects. But guess what? MSG is still alive and well in many foods in the supermarket! What was the whole deal about Chinese restaurants removing MSG if you can still find it in meats, canned products, potato chips, Doritos, and many other common items!

Regular soda and diet soda are ever-so-popular items that are still being sold and marketed as the cool beverage, but have you actually looked what was in it? Just looking at the diet soda, you will see aspartame or Splenda (depending on what soda), phosphoric acid, caffeine, and artificial coloring or flavoring. What is the goodness in actually swallowing that?

These food and beverage companies find creative ways to sell their product by smearing an action figure over it or with a celebrity on it. How is this different from Mr. Marlboro man or Joe Camel? There really is no difference. That is why it is so crucial for you to pay attention to those ingredient labels.

Children are the biggest consumers in the market. Even though children do not have their own money to spend, it does not mean that they do not contribute to the marketing of products. When parents go food shopping, who is on their minds when they buy cereal, soft drinks, lunch snacks and even ice cream? Don't be fooled by a cartoon character or a celebrity on the front of an item.

Becoming an ingredient and additive detective is never anyone’s dream job, but it is a job that just comes like motherhood or fatherhood. It is the social responsibility of consumers and parents alike.