Poll: Most Surprising Food Advertising Trick

Results of 218 votes:

1. 1.
   

   Pancakes (2017)

    

   For pancakes/waffles, engine oil - no, really, engine oil - is sometimes used instead of syrup for a thick looking texture, and to keep the cakes from getting soaked.
2. 2.
   

   Ice Cream Nation (2013)

    

   Say, "Potatoes!" When it's time for the ice cream pictures, they are sometimes scooping up colored mashed potatoes - that gives it that smooth look, and unlike ice cream, potatoes won't mel…
3. 3.
   

   Hamburger America (2004)

    

   When filming hot foods like burgers, fried chicken, etc, photographers place steaming cotton balls behind the plate to create the 'piping hot' look. Who wants a mouth full of cotton balls?
4. 4.
   

   Butterfiles and Breakfast Cereal (2014)

    

   The "milk" is cereal bowls on ads isn't milk at all - it's nothing but Elmer's School Glue! That way the cereal doesn't get soggy during the photo shoot - I hope that preschoolers aren't tr…
5. 5.
   

   MiLK (2018)

    

   Milk in ads often has soap water in the cup as well - EWWW! - so it can look nice and creamy and bubbly. Again, EWWW!
6. 6.
   

   Coca-Cola: My Hero (2010)

    

   Antacids can be added to soda to make it look even more fizzy. Got heartburn? Have a photographed Cola!
7. 7.
   

   Pamela Anderson in Barb Wire (1996)

    

   Most ice cubes on T.V. aren't ice at all - they're plastic. That's how they all look so perfect and uniform. Yuck...
8. 8.
   

   Hamburger America (2004)

    

   Here's another one for the burg: sometimes, shoe polish is put on the top bun for that nice, brown look. Guess the burger-shine boy did that for a dime.
9. 9.
   

   Food Network Thanksgiving (2005)

    

   Chicken and turkey in commercials is left undercooked, sometimes sprayed with paint for the appearance of golden-brown-ness, and can be stuffed with paper towels to make it look fatter. Don't cut m…
10. 10.
    

    Apples (2016)

     

    To make fruit appear shiny and fresh on camera, deodorant or hairspray can be put on it. Maybe that's why the apple killed Snow White.
11. 11.
    

    Kids Baking Championship (2015)

     

    Cardboard can be placed between the layers of a commercial cake to make the desert appear both fuller and have more room for frosting. To that I say, "How dare you fool me about the icing conten…
12. 12.
    

    Strawberry (2016)

     

    Strawberries starring in ads can be covered with red lipstick to enhance their color. Handy if the photographer is into food and styling.