Foodies have had lots to say about Sainsbury’s festive party food item. The supermarket has launched its Gingerbread Shaped People with Ketchup, which consists of chicken nuggets shaped like gingerbread men and served with ketchup for decorating. This item can be purchased for £3.50, igniting conversations on social media.
A Reddit user posted a picture of the festive offering in the Casual UK Reddit group, captioning it: "Are you OK Britain do you need to talk to someone?" This humorous remark has generated considerable buzz, garnering nearly 3,000 upvotes and 263 comments.
The reactions have been quite mixed. One Reddit user expressed, "I’m both fascinated and horrified. I can’t stop picturing a massive plate of them now." Another user chimed in with amusement, stating, "I saw this the other day and the wording has really tickled me. It almost reads as if it’s human meat, in the shape of gingerbread (what even is a gingerbread shape?)." Such comments highlight the general bewilderment surrounding the product.
The product box describes the food item as "chicken seasoned, formed and shaped, coated in golden breadcrumbs with tomato ketchup for decorating." The vivid image on the packaging showcases gingerbread men adorned with ketchup for eyes and buttons, adding to the quirky presentation.
Another Reddit user posited, "I think they’ve called them gingerbread people because that's a common, recognisable ‘festive’ treat but just made it really confusing because I assume these aren’t actually gingerbread flavour? And if they are, that's probably weirder." This sentiment resonates with others who find the name and concept perplexing.
One of the more creative critiques suggested, "Just a tiny tweak of the shape and they could have just made them chicken nugget Christmas trees with ketchup baubles, and saved what was probably weeks of debate about how to get around using the word man to describe gingerbread man." Such comments reflect the cultural sensitivity and creativity around festive foods.
Interestingly, someone shared their personal experience, writing, "We had these last night (with other things, not just a massive plate of solely them) and they were delicious." This review adds another layer, showcasing how positive experiences can coexist with general apprehension.
Discussions also surfaced about the food item’s use by date, which is set for December 23. Some users worried this would complicate their Christmas dining plans. One user lamented, "Use by 23 December. Well, that's my plans for Christmas in shambles," illustrating the concerns tied to food safety and planning.
Others noted, "Perfect Christmas party food if you don’t mind them being out of date before Christmas." This humor highlights the unique predicament of introducing novelty items just before major celebrations.
To clarify, one user explained, "The Gingerbread Shaped People with ketchup is a fresh food item, so it should be used by December 23, but you can choose to freeze the ginger people if you want." This information offers practical advice for those eager to try the dish but concerned about its longevity.
The trend of unusual shaped food has gained traction, with various supermarkets introducing animal-shaped nuggets. The introduction of gingerbread men as chicken nuggets is something new for many consumers. If you're seeking festive and novel food to present to kids this holiday season, the Sainsbury’s Gingerbread Shaped People with Ketchup could be worth considering.
Sainsbury's has been approached for comment, but as of yet, no statements have been provided.
