A recent Super Bowl commercial by UberEATS in the USA that was intended to be humorous depicts a person experiencing an allergic reaction to peanut butter while expressing surprise at the presence of peanuts in the product. The scene attracted widespread public criticism and was promptly edited out of the version that was aired to the Super Bowl’s wide audience.
Despite the clip reportedly having small-type text underneath the scene saying “Please please please do not forget there are peanuts in peanut butter”, critics maintained the ad trivialised the seriousness of food allergies, disrespected those living with food allergies and undermined public health efforts.
Consumer advocacy group Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), issued a statement saying “We’re incredibly disappointed by @UberEats’ use of life-threatening food allergies as humour in its Super Bowl ad. The suffering of 33M+ Americans with this condition is no joke. Life-threatening food allergy is a disease, not a diet. Enough is enough.”
Food Allergy Canada also wrote to Uber Eats to express deep concern and disappointment, and suggested that “As a dominant player in the foodservice sector, you have an opportunity to take a significant leadership role to support consumers with food allergy”.
Despite editing the version aired during the Super Bowl, the original ad, created by the agency Special US, is still featured on the UberEATS YouTube channel.
See Allergicliving.com for further commentary.
