Posted on 03/21/2007 12:56:18 PM PDT by WesternCulture
The Swedish Consumers Association (Sveriges Konsumentråd) has reacted angrily to one of the ice pops in GB's new line. 'Girlie', a star-shaped, pink ice-cream with glitter make-up stored inside the stick, is entirely inappropriate, according to the association.
"I question whether there is a demand," said secretary general Jan Bertoft.
The raspberry-flavoured novelty ice cream was just one of a new range presented by GB at the beginning of March.
According to GB, the 'Girlie' ice pop signals a "sense of summer", "star status" and "a disco feeling".
The Swedish Consumers Association however uses an entirely different word: "gender-profiling".
"Girlie, GB's new ice pop, is pink and has make-up inside the stick. It says a lot about what GB thinks about girls and how they should be," said the association in a statement.
According to the consumer watchdog, Sweden does not need more products that reinforce existing prejudices surrounding young boys and girls.
"Especially with a product as neutral as ice cream," said Jan Bertoft.
He would like to see alterations made to the product to make it less gender specific.
"They can call an ice pop 'Girlie' if they want, but it doesn't have to be so clearly aimed at young girls and telling them how they should be," said Bertoft.
GB's marketing manager, Christoffer Schreil, considers it unfortunate that some people have viewed the ice cream as being directed solely at girls.
"It is not out intention to exclude either boys or girls as consumers of our ice cream. We target everybody.
"We think Girlie is a fun ice cream with a retro feel," he said.
Schreil hopes that plenty of boys will buy the product but admits there have been a few complaints.
"We reply to everybody who gets in touch and tell that we certainly did not mean to reinforce or cement gender roles in any way," he said.
GB has no plans to withdraw the product or make any alterations.
"It's not something we have considered yet, no," said Schreil.
It is not the first time that GB has landed in the spotlight. Two years ago its marketing campaign for liquorice ice cream Nogger Black was deemed racist by the Centre against Racism (Centrum mot Rasism).
Is it possible that GB is making a conscious attempt to get free advertising by stirring up controversy?
Absolutely not. We work with ice cream and just want it to be lots of fun. We like arouse feelings, but we absolutely do not want to aggravate anybody," said Schreil.
Ad campaign: I want to nibble on a Girlie.
with gravy in the middle?........
"I question whether there is a demand," said secretary general of pooftas and girly-men Jan Bertoft.
Good grief. The girls who want to buy it will buy it, and those who don't won't. I seriously doubt that any girl is going to have her identity shaped by an ice cream company, although these days you never know.
I ought to spring this one on the person at McDonald's the next time I pull up to order a Happy Meal and am asked if it is for a girl or a boy.
I wonder if there would be a problem with an "Androgynous Ice Cream Bar".
According to the [communist] "consumer watchdog" [i.e., Attack-Dog], Sweden does not need more products thatreinforceundermine the Communist'sexistingprejudices surrounding young boys and girls.
Malmo, their third largest city, has become a civilization-free zone with Sharia courts and attacks on Swedish public services when they dare to intrude to, say, put out a fire, and the Swedish government wastes money on bureaucrats who waste time vilifying Girlie ice pops.
Sweden has also outlawed any researcg into neurological or cognative differences between male and female human brains. In Sweden, there are no differences. Otherwise, sexism is established.
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Ah, but they AREM'T candy cigarettes, they are simply candy sticks. You won't see the word cigarette ANYwhere on the package.
btw, I grew up on the original explicit version, and never wound up smoking. Imagine that!
I know that my six year old granddaughter would totally love it.
I guess they prefer the Dykes on Bikes look for girls.
"One strawberry tart with Not So Much Rat in it later..."
The overall shape would be important....
I think I saw this "secretary general" Jan Bertoft last night on Dirty Jobs...I definitely heard the squeal and saw the slop, that much I know.
"...a disco feeling" ???!!
That's a good enough reason to outlaw the blasted things right there!
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