#CanSong

ASA bans Heinz “#CanSong”

heinz-ad

#CanSong
#CanSong

Advertising Standards Authority has banned a Heinz television advert teaching viewers how to use the tin cans to create a song, as it is encouraging behaviour that risks health and safety.

The advert featured children, teenagers and adults using empty cans to drum out the rhythm of the song, with the catchphrase “Learn the #CanSong”.

Nine viewers complained that the advert encouraged unsafe practice and six believed it features behaviour that could be dangerous for children to copy.

Heinz however said, the advert showed people tapping the can on its sealed top, bottom or sides, all safe surfaces and did not show anyone putting their hand or fingers inside the can.

The ASA said “Particularly given the manoeuvres required, it might still be possible that mistakes could be made with an empty can, which might include a hand or finger being inserted into an open tin, with the associated risk of cuts” For the reasons given and because the ad did not include information on how to ensure consumer safety when recreating the song, we concluded that the ad condoned and encouraged behaviour that prejudiced health or safety”.