Re: "upped the "ew" quota somewhat with regard to some of the ickier elements"
It's safe to say that there's a lot of product placement in this series although it's all dressed up in cool, retro, nostalgic 80's attire.
I don't mind it so much - it gives (a Brit) me more insight into American culture - e.g. a song by Eels that I've liked for years has the lyric 'the kid in the mall works at hotdog on a stick' - thanks to Stranger Things 3 I now finally know what that is! (It looks a bit gross and extremely unhealthy).
The "ew" factor referenced in the article definitely refers to gross-out moments involving the slimy innards of various species of mammal and not so much to the advertising IMO