![]() Logo of the
Tide brand | |
Product type | laundry detergent pod |
---|---|
Owner | Procter & Gamble |
Country | United States |
Introduced | 2012 |
Related brands | Tide & Ariel |
Markets | International (but not worldwide). |
Tide Pods (stylized Tide PODS) are a line of laundry detergent pods from Procter & Gamble under the Tide brand.
Procter & Gamble originally created laundry pods when they launched Salvo powder detergent tablets, later disappearing from the market in 1978. [1]
In 2012, Procter & Gamble launched Tide Pods. [2]
Concern has been raised over children accidentally consuming Tide Pods, as its appearance and packaging design can have the same appeal to a child as hard candy with patterned designs, and be confused as such. [3] In 2012, in response to a child swallowing Tide Pods, Procter & Gamble said they would make this product more difficult to open by adding a double latch to the lid, and have also re-focused their advertising to make clear the product should be out of a child's reach at all times. The packaging was also changed to an opaque orange rather than the original clear plastic gumball machine-type presentation to make them look less enticing. [4]
Ingestion of pods can lead to death in some cases. [5]
Beginning in late 2017 a viral Internet trend, called the "Tide Pod Challenge", emerged on Twitter and various other social media websites, in which participants intentionally ingest detergent pods. [6] Several children and teens have been injured, some severely, from this intentional consumption. [7] The challenge (and subsequent meme) were popularized on Twitter and several people have eaten Tide Pods on camera. [8] One company began making edible replica "pods" and several internet personalities have posted about making edible "Tide Pods". [9]
Tide later partnered with American football player Rob Gronkowski, having him issue the message: "What the heck is going on, people? Use Tide Pods for washing. Not eating. Do not eat." [10]