The ‘advertising insult of the year’ has been determined. This year, Bad Ischler Nudelsalz can claim ‘victory’ for the most annoying marketing trick in the food industry. The manufacturer Salinen Austria AG advertises normal salt in drop form as an innovation for perfectly salted pasta water, Foodwatch Austria criticized. You pay about twelve times more for this marketing gimmick than for the conventional, loose salt in the well-known paper packet.
In addition to Bad Ischler’s pasta salt, the Eskimo Cremissimo vanilla ice cream, the Heinz tomato ketchup, the More Nutrition 2 calorie oil spray and the San Lucar mango-passion fruit smoothie were also in the running for the title of ‘Advertising Shame of the Year 2023’. ”. Through an online vote, consumers could choose their favorite from the five annoying foods. The winner in 2023 is Bad Ischler pasta salt, followed by Eskimo Cremisssimo Vanilla in second place and the More Nutrition 2 calorie oil spray.
Absurd prices for a so-called luxury product
As the “winner” of the vote, Salinen Austria AG will receive the certificate for “Advertising Infamy of the Year 2023” from consumer advocates from Foodwatch at its headquarters in Ebensee on Thursday. According to Foodwatch, the company from Upper Austria is being asked to “stop the absurd prices of this so-called luxury product”. “Especially in times of enormous food prices, we find it absurd that a manufacturer sells normal salt at exorbitant prices and then advertises that it is an innovation. In our opinion, this is scandalous,” said the two heads of Foodwatch Austria, Lisa Kernegger and Heidi Porstner.
Conventional salt in drop form
The actual price is difficult for consumers to understand. The number of pieces is stated on the glass, but not the weight in grams. This makes price comparisons unnecessarily difficult. “We want to talk to Bad Ischler about the absurdity of this product and the misleading aspect. The product is presented as something special. It simply contains conventional salt pressed into drops. Our demand is that Bad Ischler adjusts the price of pasta salt to that of conventional salt,” said the two Foodwatch leaders.
IA lot is happening in the food sector
Too high prices, false labels and misleading advertising promises would make shopping more difficult for consumers, Foodwatch makes clear with the ‘Advertising Infamy of the Year’. Time and time again, manufacturers use excessive marketing or advertising measures to create expectations that are not met. However, both EU food law and Austrian food law state that consumers must not be misled by advertising or the presentation of products. According to Footwatch, the reality is different.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
