A supermarket in New Zealand that is experimenting with AI to generate meal plans has encountered some unexpected outcomes. The app, developed by Pak ‘n’ Save supermarket chain, was introduced to help customers come up with creative ways to use leftover ingredients during a period of economic difficulty. Users input various ingredients they have at home, and the app then generates meal plans or recipes, accompanied by upbeat commentary. Initially, the app gained attention on social media due to unappetising recipe suggestions like an “oreo vegetable stir-fry.”
As customers expanded their inputs to include a broader range of household items, the app’s recommendations became even more peculiar. One particular recipe was named “aromatic water mix,” which would essentially create chlorine gas. The app described this recipe as a “refreshing nonalcoholic beverage to quench your thirst and invigorate your senses,” neglecting to mention the potential hazards of inhaling chlorine gas, which can lead to respiratory issues or even death.
Political commentator Liam Hehir from New Zealand shared this “recipe” on Twitter, leading other locals to experiment and share their amusing outcomes on social media platforms. Examples of suggestions included a bleach-infused “fresh breath” mocktail, sandwiches with ant poison and glue, “bleach-infused rice surprise,” and “methanol bliss,” a type of turpentine-flavored French toast.
A spokesperson for the supermarket expressed disappointment that a “minority” had used the tool inappropriately and not as intended. The spokesperson stated that they would continue to refine the app’s controls to ensure its safety and usefulness. They also highlighted that the app’s terms and conditions state users should be over 18 years old.
In a warning attached to the meal-planner, it is clarified that the recipes are not reviewed by humans, and the company cannot guarantee the completeness, balance, or suitability of any recipe for consumption. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment before relying on or preparing any recipe suggested by the Savey Meal-bot.
