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Plant-based burgers are "ultra-processed" like dog food, meat-backed ads say
A public-relations firm backed by meat producers has unleashed a savage marketing campaign that claims plant-based meat alternatives are unhealthy, "ultra-processed imitations" similar to dog food.
The campaign rolled out in recent weeks from the industry-funded firm Center for Consumer Freedom, according to The New York Times. So far, it has included full-page ads and opinion pieces in mainstream newspapers, including The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal. All the marketing material raises health concerns about trendy meat alternatives, such as the Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger.
One ad posed the question "What's hiding in your plant-based meat?" Another directed readers to take the quiz "Veggie Burger or Dog Food?"
In an op-ed, the managing director of the Center for Consumer Freedom, Will Coggin, labeled meat alternatives as "ultra-processed" foods and noted that a recent study led by the researchers at the National Institutes of Health linked ultra-processed foods to weight gain.
The negative marketing campaign comes amid soaring popularity of meat alternatives, which threaten to slice into the meat market's sales and profits. In recent months, big players in the meat industry had tried a different—some might say hypocritical—tactic to compete with the new comers—that is, they released their own lines of meat alternatives. Now, the industry wants consumers to think such alternatives are unhealthy.
Older stories:
Previously: U.S. Cattlemen's Association Wants an Official Definition of "Meat"
Regulation Coming to Lab-Grown Meat
FDA Approves Impossible Burger "Heme" Ingredient; Still Wants to Regulate "Cultured Meat"
Missouri Regulates Use of the Word "Meat" by Food Producers
Following IPO of Beyond Meat, Tyson Foods Plans Launch of its Own Meatless Products
Mississippi Bans Calling Plant and Cultured-Meat Patties 'Burgers'Related: Cargill, Bill Gates, Richard Branson Backed Memphis Meats Expects Meat From Cells in Stores by 2021
FDA May Force Rebranding of Soy, Almond, et al. "Milks"
Meatless "Beyond Burgers" Come to Fast Food Restaurants
Beef Trimmings Dubbed 'Pink SLIME' Can Now be Labelled 'Ground Beef'
No Need to Cut Down Red and Processed Meat, Study Says
(Score: 5, Interesting) by Thexalon on Wednesday December 04 2019, @07:02PM (6 children)
I've had meat burgers. I've had burgers made of meat substitutes, including the Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger. And I've had burgers that aren't trying to be meat, but are unabashedly something else, e.g. black bean burgers. Of the 3, the meat substitutes are the least appetizing.
Like all diet trends, this latest push for vegetarianism will create a corporate bonanza trying to sell you stuff. It's the same instinct as advertising lettuce as "gluten-free". But the right way to do it usually involves stuff that was available before it became trendy.
"Think of how stupid the average person is. Then realize half of 'em are stupider than that." - George Carlin
(Score: 2) by Acabatag on Thursday December 05 2019, @02:28AM (3 children)
I was at Kroger for lunch awhile back and I bought a bottle of water to go with my food. It was store-brand 'Simply natural' water and it was labeled as organic.
Organic water.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 05 2019, @02:46AM (1 child)
I think Kroger is getting ready to sell CBD products aimed at dogs.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 14 2019, @04:51PM
It might have been Giant Eagle idk.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 05 2019, @03:49AM
I generally prefer inorganic water, as I find that the organic components often give me the runs.
(Score: 2) by deimtee on Thursday December 05 2019, @11:46AM
I think there is definitely a market for asbestos-free meat substitutes.
If you cough while drinking cheap red wine it really cleans out your sinuses.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 05 2019, @04:50PM
Your name wouldn't happen to be Mahk [youtube.com], would it? :)