Story Archive

The #Can’tSong

Heinz ran an ad in the U.K. for its baked beans. In the commercial, several people were shown beating a rhythm on an empty bean can while it urged viewers to “Learn the #CanSong.” But then the country’s Advertising Standards Authority banned the ad since “it might still be possible that mistakes could be made ... which might include a hand or fingers being inserted into an open tin (with the associated risk of cuts).” Because the ad didn’t include safety instructions for tapping on cans, and because unsupervised children could emulate the song, the ASA concluded “that the ad condoned and encouraged behaviour that prejudiced health or safety.” Heinz insists the cans are safe to rap on, since the ad only showed people using the top, bottom, and sides of the cans. “We believe this popular ad did not pose any safety risk,” a Heinz spokesman said. (MS/London Evening Standard) ...They also intend to cancel all cooking shows because kids could try to cut meat like a chef.