DORITOS have sparked outrage after revealing plans to launch a new ‘lady-friendly’ snack.
PepsiCo, owner of the popular crisps brand, announced it was working on the new product after research showed women who eat crisps do not like to lick their fingers or crunch loudly when eating in front of others.
But their plan to launch “lady-friendly” crisps which are a quieter and less messy have left a bad taste in the mouths of women’s rights campaigners.
A spokeswoman for the Women’s Equality Party said: “Companies that perpetuate these tired gender stereotypes will continue to lose out on the single biggest consumer group: women.
“No doubt some male consumers will welcome the chance to have a bigger package.
“But the idea of shrinking products for women, no doubt for the same price, is as old as the 'ad men' making these decisions.”
The proposal also sparked uproar among social media users – who accused Doritos of “baiting” consumers with gender stereotypes.
Publicity stunt. My first thought was to say “I eat Doritos the same as men do” essentially a free ad for the brand. Doritos is baiting women with sexist stereotypes to get women to do their advertising for them. Don’t fall for it. No to #Doritos https://t.co/hCG1EGufMC
— Melinda (@MelLiszewski) February 5, 2018
In response to Doritos lady friendly crisps I shall be eating the biggest crisps I can find crunching really loudly burping and carrying a packet of crisps as a handbag
— kate ford (@kateford76) February 5, 2018
I am now angry at Doritos.
— snddoɥ ʞɹɐɯ (@markhoppus) February 5, 2018
One tweeted: “Publicity stunt. My first thought was to say: 'I eat Doritos the same as men do', essentially a free ad for the brand.
“Doritos is baiting women with sexist stereotypes to get women to do their advertising for them. Don’t fall for it. No to #Doritos”.
Another described the idea for the new product as “the dumbest thing ever”.
They wrote: “Doritos is apparently launching 'ladies' crisps' as women supposedly don't like crunching loudly or licking their fingers. AND they're magically sized to fit a lady's handbag. This can't be real?!?”
While a third added: “This Is silly. They should have marketed them as Incognitos Doritos. Great for job interviews, funerals and hiding under your desk.
“Both women AND men should be a target audience. And I’ll lick my fingers anywhere I damn please.”
