Nutritionist has something to say about the new Coles mini collectables, and it is not what you expect…

After the supermarket shared details of its new Stikeez campaign, Chantelle from NutritionMunch shared on her Facebook page had something surprising to say.

I’m sorry, but what a flipping joke!

“Producing little bits of plastic fruit and vegetables, with cute names that will probably end up in landfill, is NOT health promotion!!!

“This is NOT teaching children about fruit and vegetables, how they’re grown, how they can be prepared, cooked, stored and eaten. This is very much so a marketing gimmick, that is doing more (environmental) harm than good.

“If you really want to encourage children to enjoy fruit and veg everyday, you have to engage them in REAL sensory food play, involving them as much as you can in the shopping, cooking and family eating rituals you implement everyday.

“Get them small but frequent exposures to feel/touch, smell, taste, look and hear a range of different foods throughout the day.

“Take them strawberry picking. Take them to a kids cooking class. Get them to help you mix ingredients while making dinner. Go on a weekend trip to a farm.

“Yes, it’s going to be messy. It’s going to take a lot more time and energy than handing them over a plastic toy with no meaning, but it’s going to be WORTH IT seeing your child flourish and nourish and having fun with the family while doing so.

“Food has the power to create so many beautiful memories. Harness that while they’re young and they’ll thank you for it growing up.”

Tara from, Baby Guru Nutrition also shared her disgust at the campaign.

“I’ll be saying no to these when I shop at coles.

Why? Because this is just another marketing ploy to get me in the door so that my nagging child can get one more plastic thing to add to the collection that’s soon worth nothing in the end anyway, but costing the environment.

“It’s not teaching kids about fruit and veg, and I really really dislike when companies pretend they are doing the right thing, when really they are just implementing marketing strategies.

Coles ban plastic bags, then produce these plastic items that come…wrapped in plastic.”

What MoM’s had to say

When we shared the news on our Facebook page we received quite a mixed response.

While some where excited to collect the new little mini’s others were not so keen.

“Yah!!! More plastic to be thrown into landfill in approximately 6months the time…..”

“Great more crap to be laying on the floor…lol”

“Great, there’s no way they’ll have enough cases and in a blink of an eye they’ll be gone and sold for ridiculous amounts on eBay/marketplace etc ”

“More crap!!!! Ban plastic bags then make plastic crap kids want for 2 seconds and then never touch again. Sad!!!!”

Many people shared choking concerns –

“Coles should be ashamed of themselves. More Plastic junk – not only a choking hazard but this will ultimately end up in landfill or the ocean. Please say no and educate your kids about why this is wrong.”

“If you’ve got toddlers in your house don’t leave them stuck to a vertical surface such as your fridge or cupboards as they will fall off & become a choking hazard. We found them all over our kitchen floor in the morning after sticking them to the fridge the previous night.”

“Easy to swallow!”

If you are still keen to grab the set find out how to skip all the frenzy below.

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