Everyone knows a thing or two about false advertising. Remember those Sketchers ads that promised that wearing a line of sneakers would make you lose weight? And don’t forget that lawsuit Red Bull found themselves in after the popular energy drink didn’t actually give consumers wings. This time around, a baked bean company made it pretty obvious that they thought their product was nutritionally equivalent to a protein shake, and eyebrows are being raised.
This isn’t the first time that the ad for Heinz baked beans has been flagged. According to Delish, the same ad was banned last year by the Advertising Standards Authority for openly implying that the beans had just as much protein and fiber as the shake did.
In the ad, which is no longer available online, a man arrives home after a run and drinks a protein shake. His wife pulls beans from the microwave and states, as per Delish, “Right. We’re just having some beans.”
“We noted that the ad did not state that Heinz Beanz had greater or fewer nutritional benefits than the protein shake, however, we considered that the overall impression created by the ad was that Heinz Beanz contained as much protein, fiber, and fat as a typical protein shake,” stated the ASA ruling.
The ad was edited to avoid the direct comparison and re-aired this February. But it seems like the message is still very much there. Heinz really won’t let this inaccurate comparison go.
It could be because at the end, the ad states that Heinz beans are good for you “without going on about it.” It’s a known stereotype that people who regularly drink protein shakes often like the world to know they’re making a healthy choice.
Baked beans aren’t the worst option for you, and they’re a totally tasty side dish for anything you throw on the barbecue. But downing a can is in no way the same as sipping on a smoothie.
If you can’t get enough of beans, we have the perfect savory pastry for you (plus four others!).
What’s more American that hot dogs and beans?
