A promotion for the horror film [REC] has been derailed by the Chief Investigator for the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.
The promotion centred around the ‘Extreme Bloody Mary’, a beverage which contained drops of real human blood.
Organisers were requested to cease with the promotion under Section 9 of the Food Act 1981 as it is prohibited to serve ‘food’ that is unsound, unfit or offensive for human consumption.
Contravening any of the provisions of section 9 of the Food Act commits an offence, liable to a fine of up to $5,000.
Incredibly Strange Film Festival director Ant Timpson, who is helping promote [REC]’s release, says the ruling has taught him a lesson. He says: “Two things I learnt in the process – blood is actually classified as a food. And it’s prohibitive to consume any amount of it. That sound you just heard was 10,000 goths sighing.”
The highly acclaimed [REC] is being released in New Zealand theatres from August 28th. The notorious film caused an audience member to actually excrete in sheer terror during its New Zealand Film Festival premiere, according to festival staff.
The film’s opening sessions take place at Rialto Cinema in Auckland and Paramount Theatre in Wellington from 9pm this Thursday and audience members are encouraged to come dressed in zombie makeup to be in to win $100 cash.
https://3news.co.nz/Video/Film3/tabid/337/articleID/59913/cat/116/Default.aspx
