Heinz Pulls Mayo Ad Showing Men Kissing

Heinz Pulls Mayo Ad Showing Men Kissing

Heinz has pulled an ad for its mayonnaise featuring two men kissing after approximately 200 complaints to the British Advertising Standards Authority that it was "offensive" and "inappropriate." The Guardian's Mark Sweeney reports:

The Heinz Deli Mayo ad has been pulled after less than a week on air after viewers complained to the Advertising Standards Authority that it was "offensive" and "inappropriate to see two men kissing".

Other complaints include that the ad was "unsuitable to be seen by children" and that it raised the difficult problem of parents having to discuss the issue of same-sex relationships with younger viewers.

"It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognise that some consumers raised concerns over the content of the ad and this prompted our decision to withdraw it," said Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs for Heinz UK.

Dickie added that the campaign for the new Heinz Deli Mayo product, which was due to run for five weeks, was meant to be humorous and that the company apologised to anyone who felt offended.

On Thursday's "O'Reilly Factor," Fox News host Bill O'Reilly complained about the Heinz Mayo ad, saying:

So why are they doing that? Why -- it was. It was obviously a gay thing. Now I don't know what the message is, other than gay people like mayonnaise. ... I'm confused. This whole gender blending thing. It's confusing to me. ... I just want mayonnaise. I don't want guys kissing.

Watch O'Reilly's outrage here.

Watch and read more about the Heinz mayo ad featuring two men kissing here.

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