Heinz Ad Pulled
in U.K.: Gay Kiss "Inappropriate"

A Heinz television advertisement has been pulled from the air in the United Kingdom after complaints from approximately 200 viewers, according to The [London] Times website. Viewers reported the mayonnaise ad to the Advertising Standards Authority, complaining that it was both inappropriate and unsuitable for children because of a scene involving two men kissing, The Times reported.

Nigel Dickie, director of corporate affairs for Heinz U.K., told The Times, "It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognize that some consumers raised concerns over the content of the ad, and this prompted our decision to withdraw it." The ad features a morning scene in a family kitchen, except instead of a mother making lunches for her kids (and kissing her husband goodbye), it's a deli short-order chef, complete with New York accent, making sandwiches for the kids and then kissing his partner. AMV BBDO, the advertising agency responsible for the ad, told The Times that the aim of the commercial was to insinuate that the product "tastes as if you have your own New York deli man in your kitchen." (The Advocate)