Saturday, March 22

French's Isn't French

From the You-Know-Things-Are-Really-Getting-Bad department: New Jersey-based Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of French’s mustard, hired public relations firm, Bender Hammerling, to convince American consumers that French’s isn’t French! So, here it is: for the record, there is nothing more American than French’s mustard.

First concocted in New York by the R. T. French company, French’s Mustard made it's commercial debut in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair along with it's side kick, the hot dog. Both were an instant success! By 1915 the French’s pennant became the brand’s official logo, symbolizing French’s affiliation with both the game of baseball and all-American family values. No really, I’m not making this up. According to Elliot Penner, president of the company, "For many Americans, French's mustard is Americana. It's all about baseball, hot dogs, family, and fun."

Now, aren't you relieved? When so much of our world is unsettled and uncertain, isn't it good to know that your favorite hot dog condiment is safe from foreign influence and corruption?