// M&S forced to change its Porn Star Martini drink to Passion Fruit Martini after complaints from alcohol watchdog
// A ruling found the original title linked the alcoholic product to sexual success
// The drink originally launched in M&S supermarkets last September
Marks & Spencer has said it is in the process of changing the name of its Porn Star Martini tinned drink after facing complaints and criticisms for “normalising porn”.
The multinational retailer is renaming the drink to Passion Star Martini after a ruling found the original title linked the alcoholic product to sexual success.
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The drink originally launched in M&S supermarkets last September and the new packaging will be rolled out into M&S stores over the next three months.
The independent complaints panel from industry body the Portman Group noted that as other retailers and online cocktail recipes referred to the drink by names such as passion fruit martini, M&S did not need to use the Porn Star Martini title.
“Porn Star Martini is a common name for a passion fruit cocktail drink,” an M&S spokeswoman said.
“Our product launched in September 2018 and quickly became one of our most popular cocktails.
“However as a Portman Group co-signatory, we respect the ruling and will be changing the name to Passion Star Martini.”
A Portman Group spokeswoman said: “This decision by the independent complaints panel reminds producers that they should always steer away from using imagery or names that are associated with sexual activity in marketing and labelling.
“Producers should think carefully about what is conveyed by the overall impression of the product and speak to our advisory service if in any doubt.
“We are pleased that the Marks and Spencer Group have been working with us to amend the name of the product.
“The launch of the cocktail last year was met with outrage by some, who accused the retailer of normalising porn.”
Meanwhile, Twitter users have taken to the social media site to express their confusion regarding the new packaging.
https://twitter.com/__WesleyBD/status/1166979581808656386
This could be political correctness gone too far! M&S are changing their Porn Star Martini to Passion Star Martini… 👀 pic.twitter.com/ctXHfAW1GZ
— JD & Roisin – Hits Radio (@jdandroisin) August 29, 2019
How small do people's lives need to be to complain about M&S cans being called a Porn Star Martini?!
— Becky Lauder (@BeckyLauder) August 29, 2019
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