Yukon government pulls ads urging residents to get ‘the D’ after social media backlash

Sunlight is in short supply in Canada’s northern territories, and Yukon Health and Social Services want their residents to get more Vitamin D – but their recent ads are now the target of online mockery.

In the latest public campaign to promote vitamin D supplementation, the ads talk about the difficulty of getting the recommended amount of Vitamin D by food alone.

One ad states that approximately six cups of milk are needed to reach the recommended daily intake.

But the ads went viral on social media due to the sexual innuendo of “the D” being a slang word for a man’s penis.

The health and social services department says the word choice was not completely accidental as they were trying to target youths. But it got out of hand.

WATCH: Getting enough vitamin D

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and maintain healthy bones and teeth as well as reduce risk of certain types of cancer, according to Yukon Health and Social Services.

Sunlight provides a major source of vitamin D, but some Canadians experience less sunlight due to the longer fall and winter seasons.

The Yukon Health and Social Services recommends residents consume milk, fish and supplements to reach their daily vitamin D intake.

Yukon Health and Social Services unveiled new ads – which don’t mention “the D” – shortly after the social media firestorm began.

– With files from The Canadian Press