Dettol apologizes and withdraws controversial ad in China after sexism backlash.

British hygiene brand Dettol has apologized and withdrawn a controversial advertisement in China after social media users condemned it as sexist and insulting, despite the brand’s claim that the ad aimed to challenge sexism. The five-minute commercial, which featured a man seeking a partner described as “clean” and “not contaminated by other men,” ultimately portrayed him as toxic and compared such men to bacteria, leading to accusations that it objectified women and reinforced misogynistic stereotypes. The backlash sparked calls for boycotts on Chinese social media, prompting Dettol to express regret for the offense caused, particularly among women, and to accept responsibility for oversights in the ad’s creation and evaluation. In response, the company removed the ad and pledged to strengthen its content moderation practices to prevent similar issues in the future.