Kraft Drops ‘Send Noods’ Advert After Being Accused Of Sexualizing Mac & Cheese
By Thanussha Priyah, 14 Oct 2020
Image via Kraft
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese recently released a cheeky ad campaign called #SendNoods. However, it was quickly taken down after it received backlash online.
In celebration of National Noodle Day, Kraft launched a video with Saturday Night Live’s Vanessa Bayer asking viewers to “send noods” to people they care about.
“Noods, I mean. Not nudes,” Bayer emphasized multiple times in the advert.
The promotion allowed fans to send a free box of macaroni and cheese to a loved one by using the hashtag #SendNoods on social media.
Unfortunately, the pun left a bitter taste on many internet users’ mouths as they called out the “family company” for “sexualizing” the household dish, per BuzzFeed News.
“I do not want my boys growing up and seeing a commercial where they joke about the exploitation of children!” an Instagram user wrote on Kraft’s post.
The hoards of criticisms led the company to erase the campaign from its social media pages. Kraft then released a statement on its Instagram story stating, “We sincerely appreciate and hear all of your feedback. The content will be removed from our channels.”
There’s no better way to show you care than sending noods. Who will you send noods to? Use #SendNoods and #Giveaway for the chance to send noods to someone you love!
— Kraft Macaroni & Cheese (@kraftmacncheese) October 6, 2020
No purchase necessary. 18+ 10/6 - 10/11 while supplies last. Rules @http://fooji.info/enjoynoods
Who doesn't like Mac & cheese classic. Thanks!!? @kraftmacncheese for the box of Mac & cheese 😀 #sendnoods @gofooji pic.twitter.com/vKbegbj7Cl
— Drama Spoiler (@DramaSpoiler) October 6, 2020
kraft having to delete their "send noods" campaign because a bunch of QAnon-curious mommy bloggers thought it was telling kids to send actual nudes is the dumbest thing that has happened in 2020 pic.twitter.com/60h32BMBSq
— Shay Spence (@chezspence) October 13, 2020
@kraftcheese Really? Send Noods? Send Nudes? To kids? This is how you're marketing to them? My promise to you is this - I'll never buy another Kraft food product again. I'll do everything I can to educate myself on what you carry. 🖕🏼 #boycottkraft @TuckerCarlson pic.twitter.com/UrWbC5bmA1
— Kevin 🐒 (@IAMMYTQ) October 9, 2020
Wow...I always saw Kraft Mac n Cheese as more kid-friendly. It's a funny play on words and all, but think about the kids who see this and start saying they want to "send noods" to someone. Anyone else who hears that will think a child is "sending nudes", and be deeply concerned.
— Scott McKay (@M_Scott_McKay) October 9, 2020
[via AdAge, cover image via Kraft]