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Ever scrolled through Instagram or TikTok and found yourself completely baffled by a food product that looked too bizarre to be real? Maybe you’ve seen an eye-catching image of a “new” snack or drink—one that left you confused, intrigued, or even disgusted. Welcome to the world of snackfishing.
What’s Snackfishing?
If you've heard of "catfishing" (pretending to be someone you're not online), snackfishing is a similar concept—but with food. In a nutshell, snackfishing involves creating and sharing fake food products, often using tools like Adobe Photoshop, to grab attention and stir up online reactions. These fabricated foods might look convincing at first, but don’t be fooled—it's all part of an internet stunt designed for clicks, likes, and a bit of viral fame.
While catfishing can have serious, harmful consequences, snackfishing's worst side effect is often just a mix of confusion, embarrassment, and, let's be honest, some serious hunger pangs. But don't worry—it's harmless fun... unless you're the one believing the hype.
The Snack That Stole the Show
One of the most famous examples of snackfishing went viral on November 4, 2023, when the Instagram account UK Snack Attack posted a reel showcasing what appeared to be a bottle of clear Heinz ketchup. At first glance, it seemed like an unusual but plausible innovation in the world of condiments. However, after 1.2 million likes and hundreds of bewildered comments, the truth was revealed: the ketchup was fake, and the bottle actually contained hair gel.
Benji, the London-based data analyst behind the account, posted the video with the caption: “Snackfish : verb - A snack that lies about its legitimacy as an official product online for internet clout and attention. Most commonly fabricated in Adobe Photoshop.” His fake food experiments, including pumpkin spice Coca-Cola, glitter Nutella, and Pringles ice cream, have captured the fascination of countless online viewers—many of whom initially thought the products were real.
A Creative Journey of Snackfishing
Snackfishing wasn’t always Benji's thing. It all started back in 2019 when he and his college roommates enjoyed hunting down unusual Fanta flavors. As the COVID-19 lockdowns hit in 2020, Benji was forced to think outside the box. Unable to visit supermarkets for new snack discoveries, he began to create his own outlandish food ideas—starting with a homemade version of Nutella. He printed fake labels on Photoshop and started posting his creations to Instagram.
His fake food posts were an instant hit, so much so that one brand even reached out asking him to add a disclaimer, fearing that people might think the products were real. Benji embraced the snackfishing tag, though many viewers still don’t read the fine print.
Speaking to Cyber News, Benji shared how passionate people get over his fake foods: “While most take the snackfishes with a grain of salt, sometimes I do see frantic comments demanding I reveal where I purchased the product! Likewise, it’s interesting to see how passionate people get.”
Why Are We Hooked?
So, what makes snackfishing so irresistible? In a world where viral trends spread faster than you can say “food porn,” people love novelty and surprise—especially when it comes to food. It’s an easy way for creators like Benji to spark conversations, raise eyebrows, and keep us entertained (even if just for a minute). Plus, who doesn't love a good food-related mystery?
At the end of the day, snackfishing is all about creativity, humor, and a little bit of deception for the sake of entertainment. So, next time you see an unbelievable food product on your feed, remember: it might just be another snackfish, swimming in the sea of viral content.
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