Stunned shoppers spot 'AI warning' on packets of noodles in supermarkets

Shoppers have been stunned after spotting an 'AI warning' on packets of Ben's Original noodles sold in major UK supermarkets.

Bags of Ben's Original Street Food 250g microwave noodle pouches have been updated to show a warning in the bottom right corner of the front packaging.

Below the sticker, which says 'no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives', is a line of text which says 'Image generated with AI'.

Ben's Original Street Food Thai Curry 250g is available to buy at Ocado, currently on offer for £2.50 down from £3, and contains the AI warning label.

Posting on r/Mildlyinfuriating, user u/AubergineParm said: "Ben's Original, owned by Mars Inc, who made $50bn in revenue last year and are estimated to be worth $100 to $200bn, now uses AI generated art for their product packaging instead of providing jobs for humans."

One Reddit user replied: "I was already not buying these because it's like £3.50 a f***** packet. They're insane if they think people will pay those prices. My local Tesco had them on offer for £2.70ish on and off for weeks and then just got rid of them because they weren't selling."

U/Alwaysfatigued8787 said: "Yeah, but I'm sure that they'll pass along their marketing savings to the consumer!."

U/Significant_Risk9903 added: "I feel bad for people who studied graphic design just for AI to happen."

A professional food photographer joined in too. U/Danjour replied: "Yeah, I'm a commercial food photographer. This has been happening for a bit. My career as a photographer is completely over and it's been dead for a while. I only make money busting my a** shooting events now."

But others sided with the firm. U/Bonk0076 said: "Not sure why this is mildly infuriating. AI is coming and you know this is going to happen."

U/vctrmldrw said: "Pretty much every single part of their operation, from cooking to packaging to accounting, is done by machine. Why is this particular machine infuriating to you?"

The Express has contacted Mars for comment.