Amassing a combined 14.9 million views across TikTok related to reviews, speculations, and explanations, the Pink Sauce creator was met with scandal upon advertising and distributing her product primarily through social media. Often cited as Pepto Bismol-like in color and texture, the product promises a “sweet, spicy, and tangy” flavor, reports Bon Appétit.
According to the website, the sauce is made from dragon fruit, honey, chili peppers, garlic, and sunflower seed oil. The controversy began when commenters desired to understand the flavor of the condiment along with its color and continued when the production method of the product was questioned.
Several customers who received Pink Sauce reported a rancid scent, distended bottles, or even already exploded product upon its receipt. This, coupled with a typo on the nutrition label stating 444 servings per container (later corrected to 30), prompted backlash from at least one person claiming to be a food scientist: @Kayla_SaidIt wrote, “As a food scientist…Do not buy that pink sauce… [people] are receiving bloated bottles meaning 1 of 2 things: there is a bacterial reaction occurring (gas production) and/or there are 0 preservatives.”
In an interview with The Washington Post, the product's creator, Chef Pi, defends her product, saying that she is fixing the issues. “This is a small business that is just moving really, really fast,” she explained. She also assured the news outlet that her product is legal, safe, and made in a commercial facility certified by the FDA.
This is not the first time food businesses have used the social media platform to promote their product, reports Bon Appetit, which cited influencers who helped sell Chlorophyll Water’s entire stock. Full Story
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