7. We Feel Teased
One very horrible type of food marketing dishonesty is the instance of the deceptive cake bar packaging. The cover clearly shows a mouthwatering picture of a cake bar loaded with mixed berry jelly, which instantly makes one want a moist, sweet delicacy. But the reality shows a rather different picture from this promise: consumers find a simple cake bar devoid of the claimed filling. This disparity marks a basic transgression of customer confidence, not alone a cause of disappointment. The comparison to a jelly-less doughnut aptly illustrates the degree of this dishonesty since both situations involve products where the filling is not only an improvement but a basic component of the promised experience. In the food business, where product satisfaction is directly related to satisfying particular taste expectations, this kind of deceptive packaging is especially troublesome. The manufacturer’s choice to employ images implying a filling that doesn’t exist highlights a worrying trend in food marketing whereby visual attractiveness takes front stage over product authenticity.
8. Chocolate Croissants, Chocolate Sold Separately
The debate about the chocolate croissant packaging offers an interesting comparison to the famed “batteries not included” notice from the toy sector. This instance shows a particularly deceptive type of food packaging fraud which the main selling point of the product—the chocolate filling—is notably lacking from the real contents. The box clearly shows delicious pictures of croissants loaded with chocolate, therefore inspiring an instant expectation of a whole, ready-to-bake product. Customers find, though, they have bought just the croissant dough and no chocolate component is involved. This tactic is particularly misleading since, unlike electronic gadgets where battery needs are sometimes seen as separate, food products are typically expected to have all promoted elements. Comparatively, the activities of the toy business are especially relevant as this dubious marketing approach has sadly expanded outside of its initial setting. This kind of packaging dishonesty not only annoys customers but also begs major issues with consumer protection rules in the food sector and truth in advertising.
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