ASA Criticises “Irresponsible” Pot Noodle Posters

The ASA has upheld complaints against a Pot Noodle poster which ran alongside a heavily criticised television campaign (see ITC Upholds Complaint Against Pot Noodle).

The poster depicted a bombay-bad-boy flavour pot noodle, with the red neon slogan “hurt me you slag” above it. The ASA received a total of 286 complaints claiming the poster was unsuitable and offensive as it could be seen to encourage violence.

The advertisers claimed that they had understood from the Committee Of Advertising Practice Copy Advice team that the word ‘slag’ was acceptable on posters. However, when it transpired the context of the word was deemed inappropriate they had endeavoured to remove the offending posters. They maintain that the advertisement was supposed to be humorous and did not refer to personal violence.

The ASA concluded that the advert was irresponsible as it could be seen to imply sexual violence and told the advertisers to use a different approach in future. It welcomed the advertisers’ decision to remove the posters or use different words.

ASA: 020 7580 5555 www.asa.org.uk

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