A star-studded Uber Eats ad featuring Jennifer Aniston and David Beckham drew outrage for including a scene that made light of potentially deadly peanut allergies. Food allergy advocacy groups slammed the ad as “insensitive” and called for it to be pulled before airing during the Super Bowl.
The ad, called “Don’t Forget the Uber Eats,” focused on forgetfulness and featured celebrities like the Beckhams and a Friends reunion with Aniston and David Schwimmer.
But one part of the ad proved unforgettable for the wrong reasons – a scene depicting a man shocked to read peanuts are an ingredient in peanut butter. Portrayed with a swollen face and hives, he asks incredulously, “There’s peanuts in peanut butter?”
For those with severe peanut allergies, that “joke” was no laughing matter. Ingesting even tiny amounts of peanuts can cause anaphylaxis, a rapid, life-threatening reaction.
Backlash to Ad Highlights Food Allergy Concerns
Advocacy groups quickly called out the ad’s insensitive portrayal of allergies.
Food allergy is no laughing matter,” Food Allergy Canada wrote on Twitter, asking Uber Eats to edit the scene before the Super Bowl broadcast.
Leading nonprofit Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) also voiced concerns. Its CEO Dr. Sung Poblete criticized the ad’s flippant suggestion that life-threatening allergies are a joke.
“These types of commercials and types of jokes allow kids to think that there’s not going to be any harm and it’s going to be funny,” Poblete told the BBC. She explained these portrayals could promote bullying of children with allergies.
Individuals also condemned the ad on social media for making light of serious, sometimes fatal reactions.
“I have been ruthlessly bullied throughout my life by this stereotypical depiction of anaphylaxis,” wrote JD Arland of Indiana, who has a peanut allergy. “Perpetuating this offensive joke is unacceptable.”
The ad ultimately aired unedited during the big game on Sunday night. Uber Eats has not responded to requests for comment on the backlash.
Why the Controversial Ad Struck a Nerve
So why did this ad hit such a nerve? Because for millions of Americans, food allergies are a daily reality, not a comedic punchline.
Over 32 million people in the U.S. have food allergies. For kids, the prevalence is even higher, with around 5% affected.
Peanut allergies are among the most common and dangerous. They’re lifelong conditions with no cure, requiring constant vigilance to avoid reactions.
Accidental exposure is still possible, making anaphylaxis a daily danger for peanut allergy sufferers. Each year in the U.S., around 200 people die from anaphylactic reactions to food, according to nonprofit End Allergies Together.
That’s why portraying allergies as a silly joke or exaggeration rings so false. Those living with severe food allergies face stigma and misunderstanding about their condition’s gravity. A high-profile ad mocking serious allergic reactions seemed emblematic of this dangerous minimizing.
Food Delivery Poses Real Risks for Allergy Sufferers
On top of appearing tone-deaf, the ad also highlights concerns around food delivery and allergies.
Relying on meal delivery requires meticulous care for those with allergies. “You have to rely on the the driver, or the app or the system to relay your special instructions to the restaurant,” JD Arland told the BBC.
Uber Eats does allow entering allergy information when ordering. But some customers report problems like missing instructions or cross-contamination.
As delivery apps grow more popular, advocacy groups have raised concerns about accommodating special dietary needs. Better protecting customers must become a priority.
Missed Opportunity for Education and Awareness
While the ad provoked criticism, it also represents a missed opportunity. With Super Bowl viewership rivaling major holidays, companies have an enormous platform to educate and build empathy.
JD Arland hopes the controversy encourages Uber Eats to take a stand for allergy sufferers: “I’d love to see more of a commitment from Uber Eats to the food allergy community on their platform.”
With care and consultation, major brands can create campaigns that entertain while promoting understanding. As ads shape broader cultural narratives, improving representation of disabilities and health conditions matters.
For those living with misunderstood conditions like food allergies, accurate awareness from global companies could make a real difference. Responsible advertisers have a chance to use their influence to empower, not endanger, vulnerable communities.
