Taco Bell Pulls Anti-Veggies Ad

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"Veggies on game day is like punting on fourth and one-it's a cop out." So says a Taco Bell commercial that the company has since pulled. According to the ad, people will hate you for bringing vegetables to their house for the Super Bowl. 

Nutrition organizations took offense. The Center for Science in the Public Interest urged people to tweet complaints to Taco Bell.

Taco Bell ad
The company responded quickly. The CSPI posted this statement on its website:

"It's bad enough that there aren't many ads on television for broccoli, kale, or carrots. The last thing healthy fruits and vegetables needed was to be the subject of attack ads. We are delighted that Taco Bell is pulling an ad that urged people not to bring veggie trays to their Super Bowl parties, but to instead bring 12-packs of Taco Bell's tacos. Thanks to Taco Bell for responding with record speed to address nutritionists' and consumers' concern over this ad campaign."

A spokesperson for Taco Bell explained the decision simply: "We didn't want anyone to misinterpret the intent of the ad."

Discussion Starters:

  • Are people justified in their criticism of the ad, or are they just too sensitive? What's your view?
  • Did Taco Bell make the right decision to pull the ad? What are the arguments for and against the decision?