Youfoodz ad banned over mini Gordon Ramsay’s use of the word ‘forking’
The Advertising Standards Board has banned an ad for fresh food delivery company Youfoodz featuring a boy imitating fiery TV chef Gordon Ramsay.
The ad aired in primetime, including during Nine’s The Block. “How long do you think this took me to cook? One? Try two forking minutes… Un-forking believable,” the boy tells viewers.
One complaint to the ASB said: “The boy was using the term “forking” in what was a clear reference to the term ‘fucking’ and we consider this totally inappropriate for the timeslot.”
The ad featured a fiery young redheaded chef: ‘Two forking minutes”
One complaint to the ad watchdog said the spot was “totally inappropriate” and should not have aired during The Block, “a family show”.
Youfoodz defended the ad, arguing: “This advertisement does not include any strong or obscene terms. The advertisement does feature the word ‘forkin’ in a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek manner that is appropriate in the context of a kitchen, and that we sell ready-made meal company and a fork is needed to consumer our meals. It is not used in conjunction with offensive imagery or in an aggressive way.
In the case of Yoofoodz, the ASB ruled that the ad had gone too far towards using inappropriate language. It said: “The majority of the Board however noted that whilst most members of the community would not expect a child to actually say the word ‘fucking’ in a television advertisement, in the Board’s view the way the young boy says the word ‘forkin’’ makes it sound very close to the strong swear word it is clearly imitating.”
In response to the ruling, Youfoodz said it would modify the ad.
Good. Not because of the use of forking, just because it’s an insufferable ad.
We’re dragged through the sewer again, corrupting a child this time.
Oh my… get over it. Figure out something else that is worth complaining about.
This is another example of the deplorable lows companies will go to in an attempt to market their product. If anything this will put people off buying the products.
Forking terrible ad.
who decides how bad a swear word is.. .”shit” for example is used freely on radio all day every day.. is it OK for kids to hear that but not this?
Pathetic ad. Belongs in the gutter.
Good! I’m so over hearing the stupid ad. It’s enough to put me off trying their food.
Absolutely not appropriate – I really never comment on stuff like this but having a kid carry on like this sets example for kids watching- even worse now that they beep the word out as it now more highlights the swearing –
This ad is denigrating child!! It’s absolutely disgusting… And it’s still on Channel 9 During the block .. it hasn’t been taken off
Seriously people, lets just lighten up a bit. Its funny, the kid is a great little performer. What’s happened to our sense of humour?
Still seeing this on air as recently as last night (17th). Where’s the ban?
This ad is still being shown in full audio tonight in Qld… resorting to having children imitate foul language in order to sell a product is probably the lowest form of advertising.
Get over it!!! Kids hear swearing all day every day – stop with the phony outrage over what is a normal fact of life!
This Ad is totally INAPPROPRIATE. Using a young boy, to say Forking!!!!!!! Not just once. Absolutely ridiculous. Where do they get these ideas from??????????? Just saw this Ad in Queensland. ?
So if this ad was banned on the 10th, why are we still seeing it, on the 23rd. It is inappropriate and should be totally pulled.
It would seem that the message hasn’t gotten through as I’ve just seen this excuse for an advertisement during tonight’s episode of ‘The Block’, so around 7.50 pm. Lift your standards.
So if a 10 year old comes up to you and tells you to get forked..your ok with that! No wonder kids are like they are with this garbage on TV!
Conincidently this ad has just come on again in NSW and the little twerp says ‘friggen’ what hope do we have….wouldn’t support this company if I was starving now! Grrr
Just pull the ad because its annoying and doesn’t make me feel like buying their products.
I am disgusted by the Advert. The whole campaign needs to be pulled. It still makes me sick seeing it now.
Oh my god the only people that would take offence is the people that complain about everything. How about the Bonds ad? How about the Shaving ad with the women shaving the bushes in front of their Vagina. Why are kids watching the Block anyway it isn’t really a family show. Have a laugh life is to short and the world has more serious stuff going on to not laugh.
Even their latest ad is very suggestive. I don’t know who they use for their advertising agency but they have a serious fixation on sex. I refuse to buy this stuff on principle. For goodness sake stop with the sex ual innuendos.
uh huh
and then no one cares about the annoying ads that pop up about actually inappropriate things on websites that usually have younger audiences
honestly, i give up with humanity