WD-40 Should Read Its Own Label Before Suggesting Bartenders Use A Toxic Substance On Beer Tap Handles Image courtesy of (@OriginalWD40)
The company told Consumerist in a statement Tuesday evening:
Oops. We clearly didn’t understand the mechanics of a beer tap, but as many have pointed out this is probably not the smartest use. Of course it’s never our intention to promote uses of the product that are unsafe. We were trying to tie in with a unique day and apologize for the miscommunication. We’ll do further research into tap handles this evening.
———————– ORIGINAL STORY BELOW ———————–
We’ve got to imagine whoever handles the social media at WD-40 hasn’t read the product’s own label recently, because if so, that person would know that WD-40 is toxic and harmful to humans when ingested, making it a bad idea to use the stuff on anything that dispenses food or beverages. But heck, it’s World Bartender Day and no one wants squeaky tap handles, right?
The Twitter page for WD-40 Tweeted a recommendation suggesting that loyal customers might want to give the gift of the multi-purpose lubricant at their favorite watering hole:
https://twitter.com/OriginalWD40/status/570229312114139136
The thing is, according to WD-40’s own site, the product is “harmful or fatal if swallowed” [PDF]. And on the can’s label? A giant skull and crossbones, indicating a toxic substance.
What’s an easy way to swallow WD-40? If it’s on the beer tap used to pour a beer. WD-40 goes into beer, beer goes into mouth, and voila! You’ve got a dose of toxic lubricant.
And while WD-40 lists 2,000 supposed uses [PDF] for the stuff, “lubricate beer taps” is not included.
The Twitterverse does not approve, with a slew of comments replying to the Tweet pointing out the bad advice:
We’ve reached out to WD-40 to see why the company would apparently suggest bartenders would like to poison their customers, and will update this post if we hear back.
*Thanks to Consumerist reader Mitch for the tip.
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