Tag Archives: Ranch Dressing

day 2633: “Innocent Lies”

“Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.”

I read last week about Kraft’s “innocent lie” that there were revealing by changing the name of their ranch salad dressings and repackaging it into tubes as “Salad Frosting”. This is what Sergio Eleuterio, their Chief Marketing Officer had to say: Innocent lies parents tell their kids help alleviate the pressures of everyday parenting, and if it gets kids to eat their greens, so be it.”  Part of the problem with this innocent lie is that there is nothing healthier about the product. It is a marketing innocent lie. The other part of the problem is that when you look at the Kraft website you find that their stated corporate values that says this: “Integrity. We do the right thing at all times. We inspire trust. We are honest and ethical.” More than one thing is amiss at Kraft and it is hard for me to believe that this “salad frosting” isn’t just a short-term spread over a bigger problem.

Lies are not right.  We rationalize that it is sometimes better to not be truthful, but this is not correct.  When we hide behind an “innocent lie” we are still in the wrong. Where in the Gospels do we see any type of lie being okay? If it is not there, then it is not okay for us.  Let us today pray and be there for those who are on the front-line of building marketing and communications so that they are led and allowed to find a positive way to present the truth and not have to fall back on any type of untruth.

Reference:  Proverbs 12:19 (New Living Translation)