A company is facing backlash for suggesting water is no longer good enough to clean products.

Clean Boss, the maker of Eat Cleaner produce cleaner, has aired a TV advert claiming its product is superior to water – but eagle-eyed viewers have spotted some worrying problems with their comparison.

What happened?

A Reddit user recently brought attention to Clean Boss’ advertising in the r/Anticonsumption community, highlighting how the company used deceptive tactics to promote its product.

The ad shows a side-by-side comparison of vegetables washed with water compared to Eat Cleaner. However, according to a small text at the bottom of the screen, the product used in the “water only” demonstration was 21 days old, while the Eat Cleaner-washed product vegetables seemed fresh.

“Water is obsolete. BUY EATCLEANER!” » the Redditor wrote sarcastically.

The post sparked a lively discussion, with one commenter argue“Such nonsense should not be allowed on television, because there are too many stupid people.”

While this sentiment reflects frustration with misleading marketing, the real problem lies with companies preying on consumers’ concerns about food safety.

Why is deceptive marketing a concern?

This type of marketing could lead consumers to spend money on unnecessary products while undermining trust in one of our most fundamental and sustainable resources: water.

Effectively clean water eliminates dirt and bacteria products when combined with proper washing techniques. Creating doubt about the effectiveness of water could push people to buy single-use products plastic bottles filled with cleaning solutions they don’t need, helping to plastic waste and unnecessary household expenses.

Is Clean Boss doing anything about this?

Even though Clean Boss touts Eat Cleaner as an eco-friendly choice, the company has yet to address concerns about its advertising tactics.

It offers the product in a concentrated form to reduce packaging waste and use recyclable bottles. However, these efforts do not answer the fundamental question of promoting a solution to a problem that might not exist for most consumers.

What can I do about misleading marketing?

Keeping your products clean and safe does not require special products. Food safety experts confirm that rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under clean running water while gently scrubbing their surfaces effectively removes dirt and bacteria. You can use a clean produce brush with water for items like melons with rough surfaces.

Some cities and states have consumer protection laws that address misleading environmental marketing claims, often called “greenwashing”. If you potentially spot misleading advertisingyou can report it to your state’s consumer protection office or the Federal Trade Commission.

The most sustainable – and often the most effective – solution is usually the simplest. In this case, it’s the clean, safe tap water that’s already flowing into your home.

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