For many South Africans, polony was (and maybe still is) a staple part of their diet.

When news broke that the listeriosis outbreak had been tracked back to an Enterprise meat factory in Polokwane, polony was pegged as one of the main culprits in its spread.

The ‘burbs were also rocked when Woolworths then issued a recall of many of their products, but given that at least 183 people have died it pays to exercise caution.

The same is true on social media, although local biscuit company TUC didn’t get that memo. They’re being dragged on social media for a pretty tasteless tweet, which they have since deleted, and it’s not hard to see why.

Much like Vernon Philander’s midnight ‘hack’, screenshots last forever:

So I must just eat this biscuit on its own? Sorry, TUC, but y’all aren’t a Romany Cream.

If you’re wondering why that’s not lekker, here’s Business Insider SA:

Many South Africans eat their polony on TUC biscuits and earlier this week, TUC tweeted that “the most iconic relationship in Satafrika” has come to an end following the listeriosis crisis…

Jeremy Sampson, executive director of Brand Finance Africa, says the TUC campaign is in very bad taste.

“When people have died, or been ill, don’t go there. They say all is fair in a marketing war, but there are lines you don’t cross.” One of South Africa’s foremost brand experts, Sampson has been advising companies like SAB, Nedbank and Distell for decades.

Marketing consultant Andy Rice thinks the tweet was very unwise.  “Two words spring to mind: hubris and schadenfreude.  They can’t escape both.”

The tweet, which was promoted by TUC before it was taken down, didn’t prove very popular:

Cue the standard apology:

A representative of TUC South Africa told Business Insider South Africa that they removed the post and “regret any offence caused”.

“TUC South Africa extends their apologies for the recent social media post. The post is not indicative of the brand’s opinion or values.”

This tweet also went out from their account:

Ja no guys, let’s try and do a little better.

[source:businsider]