The Avocados From Mexico Super Bowl Commercial Had Twitter Baffled. Here's Why
If the Avocados from Mexico commercial didn't cause you pause during a break from the Super Bowl, then chances are you missed some surprising news on February 12. According to NBC News, the United States officially paused all imports of avocados from Mexico for the foreseeable future. Apparently, the import ban comes as a response to a threat that was received on the official cellphone of a U.S. plant safety inspector while working in the country recently.
Mexico's Agriculture Department shared a statement with NBC News, writing, "U.S. health authorities ... made the decision after one of their officials, who was carrying out inspections in Uruapan, Michoacan, received a threatening message on his official cellphone." Given that poorly timed decision, tons of people are calling out the ad on Twitter and sharing their thoughts on just how awkward the Super Bowl ad is, given the current situation. For those who missed the ad, you can watch it below.
Twitter users on the avocado ad's timing and content
Plenty of people were quick to point out the irony of the poorly timed ad following the import news with one person simply writing, "Nice avocado commercial. BTW US stopped importing avocados from Mexico." Another person shared a photo of the ban and said, "dang guys smh." Another similar tweet read, "bad time for Avocados from Mexico." While there are plenty of people finding the humor in the commercial's unfortunate timing, there are just as many people who are disappointed in the content of the ad itself.
One Twitter user called out the white-washing of the commercial and even the wrongful credit for the ever-popular Caesar's salad, writing, "did you spot any Mexicans in that Avocados from Mexico commercial? You know that caesar salad was invented by a Mexican, right?" And this miss from the ad was noticed by more than one viewer, too. Author Julissa Natzely Arce Raya similarly observed, "An avocado commercial from Mexico and still not a single Mexican in the commercial." Others responded to the call-outs with comments like "mic drop," "you beat me to this tweet," and "shake my head."
Whatever you think of the ad, chances are you won't be seeing any new Avocados from Mexico in your local grocery store (over the next few days).