This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
On July 3, 2020, media personality Anita Nderu's cooking show, 'The Overdressed Cook,' caused a stir on social media after a promo video featuring two gay men went viral.
The video, which sparked a heated discussion around LGBTQ members, included a bottle of Fresh Fri cooking oil, leading many to conclude that the company was sponsoring the show through product placement.
However, Fresh Fri issued a statement denying any involvement with Anita Nderu's show, stating that they had not engaged her for any type of advertisement.
"Fresh Fri would like to state that we have not engaged Anita Nderu for product placement or any other advertising of any kind," the statement read.
"However, we would like to thank her for being a Fresh Fri consumer," the company added.
Despite the controversy, Anita Nderu defended her show, stating that the product in the video was just a coincidence.
"The brand under fire was and is in no way involved with The #OVERDRESSEDCOOK, it was just a coincidence it happened to be what we were using in the kitchen as has been with all other episodes," she said.
She also emphasized the importance of celebrating diversity and promoting authenticity.
"As people we should celebrate our differences, encourage authenticity & wonder at the diversity of humanity. We all have a right to love and be loved," Anita Nderu said.
