1. Peanut Butter With Red Dye
In the ’70s, a popular peanut butter brand was pulled off shelves after it was discovered that they were using an illegal red dye in their product. The dye was used to enhance the color, but it was later found to cause potential health issues. This resulted in public outcry, especially since the product had been marketed as a wholesome family favorite.
The recall came with much fanfare, and the brand eventually replaced the dye with a more natural option. However, the damage to consumer trust was done, and many loyal customers switched to competing products. The incident left a scar on the reputation of what was once a trusted kitchen staple.
2. Crystal Pepsi
In 1992, Pepsi launched Crystal Pepsi, a clear soda marketed as a healthier, more refreshing alternative to regular cola. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations and was quickly pulled from the market. The product’s failure was attributed to confusion over its “healthier” image, as well as its lackluster taste.
Though it’s remembered today as a bold experiment in marketing, the scandal surrounding its failure caused a significant blow to Pepsi’s image. They learned that clear packaging wasn’t enough to compensate for the taste, and the product disappeared just as quickly as it arrived. For years, it was cited as a prime example of a marketing disaster.
3. Ford Pinto
The Ford Pinto became infamous after it was revealed that the car’s gas tank was prone to exploding in rear-end collisions. Ford’s decision not to make immediate design changes, even after learning about the dangers, caused a public outcry. The company’s attempt to save money over prioritizing safety resulted in major backlash.
What followed was a massive recall and a public relations nightmare. The scandal led to the introduction of stronger safety standards for vehicles, and Ford took a long time to regain consumer confidence. For years, the Pinto was a symbol of corporate negligence in the auto industry.
4. Kellogg’s Breakfast Cereal With Cancer-Causing Chemical
In the early 2000s, it was revealed that a popular breakfast cereal from Kellogg’s contained trace amounts of a chemical linked to cancer. The company’s failure to disclose this information caused a stir, especially considering the product was marketed to children. The news led to a series of lawsuits and a public relations headache for the brand.
Kellogg’s quickly pulled the affected cereal from stores and revamped its safety measures to ensure consumer trust. However, the scandal caused long-lasting damage to the company’s reputation. Parents were particularly upset that the company had marketed the product to kids while putting their health at risk.
5. Tylenol Poisoning Incident
In 1982, the Tylenol brand suffered one of the most infamous scandals in the history of consumer products. Several bottles of Tylenol were laced with cyanide, leading to the deaths of seven people in the Chicago area. The tragedy forced the company to pull millions of bottles from shelves and led to widespread public fear.
Tylenol’s quick response, which included tamper-proof packaging and full cooperation with law enforcement, ultimately restored its reputation. However, the scandal left a lasting mark on how the pharmaceutical industry dealt with product safety. The incident also led to new laws regarding product tampering and consumer protection.
6. Volkswagen Diesel Scandal
Volkswagen’s reputation took a massive hit in 2015 when it was revealed that the company had equipped millions of diesel cars with software designed to cheat emissions tests. The scandal, known as “Dieselgate,” led to the recall of over 11 million vehicles and billions of dollars in fines. The company had long touted its diesel cars as eco-friendly, but the revelations shattered that image.
Despite attempts to make amends, including offering buybacks and fixes, the damage to Volkswagen’s reputation was profound. The scandal has since become a case study in corporate deceit and its impact on consumer trust. For years, the brand struggled to recover, with many consumers moving to other, more transparent automakers.
7. Barbie’s “Slumber Party” Doll
In the ’90s, a Barbie doll set marketed as a “slumber party” was pulled from shelves after parents complained about the dolls’ suggestive poses. The controversy erupted when the dolls were found to be wearing nightgowns that many deemed too revealing for children. The doll’s provocative design was seen as inappropriate for the young audience it was intended for.
After a significant backlash, the product was quietly discontinued, and Mattel issued an apology. The company promised to be more careful with future releases, but the scandal made parents wary of Barbie’s evolving image. The incident ultimately marked a shift in the way Mattel approached the design and marketing of their dolls.
8. Lucky Charms Marshmallow Recall
In 2015, a batch of Lucky Charms marshmallows was recalled after it was discovered that they contained undeclared allergens. The mistake, which was traced back to a packaging error, sparked concern among consumers, especially those with food allergies. The recall affected several states and caused panic among parents who fed their children the popular cereal.
General Mills quickly recalled the affected batches and reassured the public that it was an isolated incident. However, the scandal left parents questioning the safety of processed foods and led to increased scrutiny of the company’s practices. While General Mills recovered, the event left an impression on the brand’s once-trusted image.
9. OxyContin Opioid Crisis
Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin became a household name in the late ’90s as a powerful painkiller, but it quickly became infamous due to its role in the opioid crisis. The company aggressively marketed the drug, downplaying its addictive properties. As a result, millions of people became addicted, and many died from overdoses.
The scandal resulted in numerous lawsuits, and Purdue Pharma eventually filed for bankruptcy. The company was held accountable for its role in the opioid epidemic, and OxyContin was pulled from many pharmacies. The crisis left an indelible mark on both the pharmaceutical industry and the public’s trust in drug companies.
10. New Coke
In 1985, Coca-Cola decided to change its iconic formula and introduce “New Coke.” The decision was met with overwhelming backlash, as loyal customers were enraged that their beloved beverage had been altered. The company was forced to reintroduce the original formula under the name “Coca-Cola Classic” just three months later.
The New Coke debacle is often cited as one of the biggest product missteps in history. Although the product itself was quickly pulled, the incident remains a classic example of a corporation underestimating the emotional connection consumers have with their products. Coca-Cola’s quick pivot back to the classic formula helped repair its image, but it took years to restore customer trust fully.
11. Airborne Cold Remedy
Airborne, a popular cold remedy, faced a massive scandal after it was revealed that the company had falsely advertised the product as a cure for colds. The brand claimed that its effervescent tablets could prevent illness, but the claims were not supported by scientific evidence. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined Airborne, and the company was forced to issue refunds to customers.
While Airborne’s product was not necessarily harmful, its false advertising severely damaged the brand’s credibility. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of truthful marketing in the health and wellness industry. Though the company continued to sell its products, its once-trusted image had been tarnished.
12. Snapple’s Contaminated Tea
In the ’90s, Snapple’s popularity soared with its range of iced teas, but the company faced a major scandal when one of its batches was found to be contaminated with a bacteria. The contamination led to several people becoming sick after consuming the tea. Snapple recalled the product and faced intense scrutiny from both the media and the public.
Despite the company’s efforts to restore trust by improving its production processes, the scandal left a lingering fear about the safety of Snapple’s products. Consumers began to question the reliability of what was once a go-to beverage for many. The brand managed to recover, but the event marked a significant turning point for the company.
13. The “Cabbage Patch” Scandal
In the 1980s, Cabbage Patch Kids became a cultural phenomenon. However, the toy’s rise to fame came with its own set of controversies. A string of reports surfaced that the dolls were being sold at inflated prices due to artificial scarcity. Parents were outraged as they struggled to find the dolls at reasonable prices, and the company’s response to the growing demand was less than ideal.
As a result, the Cabbage Patch brand faced a significant backlash, with many customers feeling taken advantage of. Though the dolls remained popular, the scandal forever changed the perception of the brand. The toy industry learned a valuable lesson about managing consumer demand and expectations.
14. McDonald’s “McDLT”
In the ’80s, McDonald’s introduced the McDLT, a sandwich designed to keep the hot and cold ingredients separate in a plastic container. The innovative packaging was supposed to preserve the freshness of the ingredients, but it quickly became a target for environmentalists. The plastic container was deemed wasteful, and the McDLT was pulled from the menu after only a few years.
Though it was seen as a creative idea at the time, the backlash against the packaging made the product unsustainable. McDonald’s faced increasing pressure to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, and the McDLT became a forgotten piece of fast food history. The incident played a key role in the company’s shift toward more sustainable packaging in the following decades.
15. Hoover’s “Free Flights” Offer
In the 1990s, Hoover launched a promotional campaign offering free flights with the purchase of their vacuum cleaners. The promotion seemed too good to be true—and it was. Many customers found themselves unable to redeem their flight vouchers due to restrictions and poor customer service, leading to widespread frustration.
The scandal led to a massive backlash against the brand, with many customers feeling deceived by the misleading promotion. Hoover was eventually forced to offer refunds and face legal action, and the brand’s once-stellar reputation took a significant hit. The incident stands as one of the most famous examples of a marketing promotion gone wrong.