Companies selling snacks and fast food have been accused of "Covid-washing" by pushing their products on the back of New Zealand's national lockdown. The study, just published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, analysed nearly 1400 social media posts by 20 biggest major behind confectionery, snacks, fast food and non-alcoholic beverages over the period nationwide stay-at-home orders were in place. The researchers described the posts as "Covid-washing", which was akin to "greenwashing", where companies used environmental concerns as a marketing ploy. "Being bombarded by advertising online undermines our ability to eat well, and during the pandemic these companies were preying on our anxiety," Gerritsen said. A spokesperson for the company contended that the research showed a "fundamental lack of understanding of how brands operate on social media channels", and claimed some of the study's suppositions were misleading.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 08, 2021 16:00 UTC