The indomitable Bayer AG company, producers of pills and potions that fight everything from upset tummies to heart disease, has dumped one of its partners today.

Last year, Bayer's Alka Seltzer division sponsored the U.S. Open Championship of the International Federation of Competitive eating Inc. group. Although the sponsor may seem apropos considering the indigestion the contestants would no doubt experience, it's hard to miss the irony of a gluttony contest being sponsored by a health care company.

Apparently, Bayer now feels the same way, and has severed all associations with the mega eaters.

Bayer's association with IFCOE, which says competitive speed-eating is a sport, drew criticism from the Coalition Against Bayer Dangers...

``It is obvious to all that excessive eating is a danger to health,'' said Hubert Ostendorf, a spokesman for the group in an e-mailed statement today. ``Paradoxically, Bayer offers diabetic remedies to cure the diabetes that is often caused by the very events they are sponsoring,'' Ostendorf said.

Interesting to see a money-hungry corporation acknowledging this. Perhaps this could be shift towards valuing health over money? Or do you think Bayer was simply giving in to the pressure of bad publicity?

(Photo Source: BBC News)