The CEO behind Tide Pods wants your help to stop this madness
Tide Pods are absolutely not for eating, according to the CEO of the company that manufactures the delicious-looking little blobs.
David Taylor, the CEO of Procter & Gamble, penned a statement Monday to all the people in this wide and strange world who have now embarked on one of the weirdest ways natural selection has taken it's course: the Tide Pod challenge.
P&G's CEO broke his silence on the bizarre trend that's swept over us like a toxic wave, blaming the internet in general, and attempting to explain that random safety video featuring Rob Gronkowski that was released last week.
"The possible life altering consequences of this act, seeking internet fame, can derail young people’s hopes and dreams and ultimately their health," Taylor wrote. "Ensuring the safety of the people who use our products is fundamental to everything we do at P&G. However, even the most stringent standards and protocols, labels and warnings can’t prevent intentional abuse fueled by poor judgment and the desire for popularity."
For those who need this translated: DooOOoOO Nooooot EAT the TIDE PODS even if the internet tells you to. Still with us? Okay. Let's carry on.
Taylor goes on to explain that the company is working with partners to remove "videos that glorify this harmful behavior" and release PSAs with Gronkowski "designed to reach teens and young adults." Scrolling down through the tweets underneath this video and you'll find, well, people not really taking it seriously.
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Interestingly, Taylor does not take into account that their product really does look like a giant Gusher.
His solution is a simple one that hasn't ever really worked in the history of this world but, oh well, let's try it once more: talk to teens. "Let’s all take a moment to talk with the young people in our lives and let them know that their life and health matter more than clicks, views and likes," he continues. "Please help them understand that this is no laughing matter."
But no matter how many times you tell teens this, the risk of tempting fate is a tantalizing one. It'll be Tide Pods today, and (hopefully not) the resurgence of the Fire Challenge tomorrow.
You can read P&G's full statement here.
