Falabella cuts ties with influencer Josefa Sáez after viral video of dog eating wasabi

Chile’s department store chain Falabella announced it has terminated its commercial relationship with influencer Josefa Sáez and the podcast "Así Tal Cual" after a video went viral showing Sáez feeding wasabi—a spice not safe for pets—to her dog, Corso, during a family sushi meal. The controversy intensified when a podcast panelist admitted to giving cigarettes to her own dog in a separate incident, prompting accusations of animal mistreatment.

In a formal statement Falabella said the contracts with both the influencer and the podcast were ended immediately and that the retailer is launching an exhaustive review of its sponsorship policy and the criteria used to select digital creators. Sáez restricted her social‑media accounts and issued an apology, saying the actions were innocent. The episode has sparked a broader debate about brand responsibility when partnering with online personalities, and products linked to Sáez’s collection have been put on discount.