Saucy Canadians flex their wit on social media in ketchup war
Canadians created a social media frenzy when news broke that French's ketchup, made from tomatoes grown in Leamington, Ont., was dropped from Loblaws grocery stores.
Not only did consumers deliver a punishing wave of criticisms that forced Loblaws to reverse its decision, within about a day, but they also gave the world a taste of some saucy humour.
THEY CAN TAKE OUR HOTDOGS<br><br>BUT THEY'LL NEVER TAKE<br><br>OUR KETCHUP!!!!!!!!!!
—@DrewGarner
The temptation to squeeze out a tasteful pun was just too much for condiment lovers. Many ketchup consumers had plenty of oozy word play to spread around.
RANT – Loblaws decisions to ditch French’s ketchup stinks like rotten tomatoes <a href="https://t.co/ZjZ33fHwEf">https://t.co/ZjZ33fHwEf</a>
—@mrgeekosuave
<a href="https://twitter.com/MargaretAtwood">@MargaretAtwood</a> I can't buy my ketchup at <a href="https://twitter.com/LoblawsON">@LoblawsON</a> - suggestions? French's ketchup squeezed out by Loblaws <a href="https://t.co/WHLujsFuB4">https://t.co/WHLujsFuB4</a>
—@SustainableDan
<a href="https://twitter.com/btaplatt">@btaplatt</a> Make sure you ketchup
—@AdrianKLee
Other companies poked fun at the ketchup wars. Harris Heating and Air Conditioning Services Inc. served up free bottles of French's ketchup as an incentive to buying a furnace and air conditioning system. Better hurry, the offer ends soon!
Officials from Loblaws quickly realized they smeared a little ketchup on their face with its decision to dump French's, but nothing illustrated the debacle like Nicole MacAdam's giff.
Today, at Loblaw HQ. <a href="https://t.co/odJ1f3UdIT">https://t.co/odJ1f3UdIT</a> <a href="https://t.co/eUPaVm5Lyq">pic.twitter.com/eUPaVm5Lyq</a>
—@nicole_mac1
Patriotic condiment fans also turned to television shows and movies to express their opinions on the ketchup war.
<a href="https://twitter.com/SheenaGoodyear">@SheenaGoodyear</a> “Begun, this ketchup war has.”
—@chesterscoville
Forget Ironman vs. Captain America and Batman vs. Superman, the real main event is here: French's Ketchup vs. Heinz Ketchup
—@tamorrak
<a href="https://twitter.com/HeinzKetchup_US">@HeinzKetchup_US</a> between your ketchup, and this French's ketchup story, you've REALLY confused Montgomery <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Catsup?src=hash">#Catsup</a>? <a href="https://t.co/BrcpepxpQV">pic.twitter.com/BrcpepxpQV</a>
—@StuartLucky
Of course, kudos is in order for one consumer who, early on, correctly predicted Loblaws would eventually backtrack on its decision.
Loblaws 1 week from today "We have decided upon further review to continue to sell French's Ketchup"
—@britdjmatt