The Matsumoto Apple Association is putting some serious bite into its latest promotional campaign. The Japanese grower cooperative is offering a free dental service with every purchase of its Dentapple, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Dentapple is a Fuji apple labelled with a QR code, which when scanned links to a smartphone application.
Consumers are encouraged to take four bites into the apple and then post images of the fruit’s surface area to a dental hygienist via the application. They are also required to fill in a brief questionnaire relating to the level of pain in their gums and the presence of any blood.
The hygienist then sends back a response report within 24 hours. The results indicate the likelihood of tooth decay and periodontal disease, although the association cautions that the service should not be viewed as a full dental assessment.
The Wall Street Journal reported that 160 Dentapples were sold on the day the product was launched, with the fruit available online and in eight grocery stores across Tokyo.
