In an effort to appeal to a new demographic, food producers sometimes attempt an unusual taste combination that makes for a better headline than product. Even if the results aren’t successful, having a color printer can make a huge difference when considering new packaging and marketing materials. Business Insider recently reported on an odd idea McDonald’s was considering: Bubblegum-flavored broccoli.
It sounds unlikely, but according to the source, it was part of the chain’s grand attempt to get children to make healthier dining choices. The article quotes Don Thompson, current CEO of McDonald’s, who cited it as an example of their commitment to children, even if the attempt proved unsuccessful. Other alterations included reducing the size of French fry servings. The broccoli taste swap reportedly drew a significant negative reaction.
Thompson simply described the experiment by saying that it “it wasn’t all that” and confused the children who tried it. The initiative will presumably be dropped in favor of other approaches to promoting healthful eating.
However, even though this idea didn’t take, it’s worth considering how one could conceivably market and present something as surprising as this. Many “combination foods” do so with a large graphic of the new item accompanied with images of the two ingredients that are being combined together. If a producer can capture the right vividness and detail, the consumer gets the point more clearly and would be more inclined to buy.
With superior color printing products, like a Primera label printer, businesses will be ready to label and distribute even the most surprising new foods. More detailed labels will give consumers a better idea of what to expect through images and captions.