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Ofcom has dismissed worries that kids across the country could start feeding their guinea pigs tomato ketchup after watching a Heinz promo sponsoring Emmerdale.
The media regulator reports that 17 viewers complained that pet owners, particularly kids, might start replacing their pet's fresh water with ketchup after a promo showing a guinea pig in a cage supposedly "drinking" out of a Heinz ketchup bottle aired during Emmerdale.
Noting that the soap "attracts a predominately adult audience and holds little appeal for the very young," Ofcom went on to explain to these viewers that "pet owners watching the programme would be aware of the need to provide their pets with fresh drinking water." The regulator concluded that the promo "was unlikely to have encouraged viewers to emulate the action."
