"What Happened to Mr. Yuk, The Poison Control Icon?" Topic

"For Gen X kids in particular, Mr. Yuk stickers are instantly recognizable — a sickening fluorescent green frowning face, its tongue extended with a disgusted expression, and the 1-800 National Poison Control Center phone number often underneath. Less common now than they were in the past, Mr. Yuk stickers are still sometimes used today, warning children to stay away from potentially poisonous substances.  But since he was introduced in the 1970s, Mr. Yuk's popularity has declined because some studies have shown he's less effective than experts hoped he might be…"

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Armand

"But since he was introduced in the 1970s, Mr. Yuk's popularity has declined because some studies have shown he's less effective than experts hoped he might be…"

Hence why kids of this generation are eating tide pods….

Never heard of it.
Besides, I prefer the less cartoony Poison skull-and-crossbones…

So…I'm a GenX-er, and have never heard of, nor seen Mr. Yuk. Fortunately, I was smart enough not to try and eat tide pods.

(smile)

Armand

Their choices were to print billions of stickers to hand out or to give themselves a raise. Guess why the study shows it to be less effective than they had hoped. No budget increase. :)

Ha!…

Armand

"Besides, I prefer the less cartoony Poison skull-and-crossbones…"

The concern was that small children might take this symbol to mean pirate food.

"Their choices were to print billions of stickers to hand out or to give themselves a raise. "

Wonder how many kids put them into their mouths to taste them? I hope they used non-toxic & lead-free paint when they printed those (seriously, somebody should look into that… )

Gen X'er here, and I can confirm seeing the Mr. Yuk ads, and the stickers.

I suppose I was too young to question their effectiveness, but I do recall getting the message – don't put it in your mouth if there's a Mr. Yuk sticker on it.