What does the meth epidemic have in common with fake meat marketing? Find out in today’s BEEF Daily blog.

Amanda Radke

November 19, 2019

4 Min Read
Fake Meats_0.jpg

My home state of South Dakota has gotten viral media attention in the last couple of days, as our governor, Kristi Noem, unveiled a public relations campaign to highlight the growing meth epidemic in our state.

The advertisement’s catchphrase is a double entendre where South Dakotans say, “Meth. We’re On It.”

meth im on it.png

Naturally, the eyebrow-raising catchphrase has been a golden opportunity for creating memes,  or jokes to be made by political pundits and for reporters to have a field day recapping the sensational campaign. A similar odd campaign aired years ago in South Dakota with the slogan, “Don’t jerk and drive,” a cheeky reminder not to jerk the wheel while driving on icy roads.

And while many are lamenting that campaigns of this ilk have made the state a laughing stock, on the flip side, I think this meth campaign accomplished exactly what it set out to do — it has people talking about the issue and its devastating impact on our rural communities.

In a similar fashion, the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) just released a racy full-page ad in The New York Post, which shines a light on the true nature of plant-based “meats.” Within the last month, CCF has also placed op-eds on this subject in USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

Fake Meats.jpg

The ad reads, “Things to avoid: Fake hair, fake orgasms, fake meats. If you’re trying to avoid ultra-processed food with artificial ingredients like methylcellulose, titanium dioxide, tertiary butylhydroquinone and disodium insonate, drop the fake meat and stick with the real thing. See what you’re putting in your mouth at CleanFoodFacts.com."

Related:What’s new with fake meats? Are consumer attitudes about meat changing?

According to a CCF press release, “The ad highlights fake things people should probably avoid, including fake meat, toupees, and fake orgasms. Despite being called ‘plant-based,’ fake meat products are ultra-processed substances that go against clean-eating trends.

“Research agrees. Surveys have shown that 40% of those who eat plant-based foods try to avoid processed foods. A recent study, conducted by the National Institute of Health, found ultra-processed foods lead to overeating and weight gain.

This ad is part of CCF’s educational campaign to alert the public of the ultra-processed nature of fake meat. For a helpful ingredients comparison tool or for more information on the campaign go to CleanFoodFacts.com."

Of the ad, Will Coggin, CCF managing director, said, “Despite what some companies would have you believe, meat analogues are not healthier than the real thing. These new products are just ultra-processed knock-offs.”

Related:Colorado governor explains his stance on fake meat

I look at this campaign in two ways.

First, it certainly grabs your attention and is a reality check to what these products really are.

On the flip side, I welcome these products to enter the marketplace. I think the merits of beef will more than outweigh any perceived benefits of these products.

However, we aren’t being given an even playing field. These Silicon Valley investors are playing dirty, and they are playing to win. What that means for you and I is they want beef off the menu completely.
Don’t believe me?

See how the packers are trying to shove these processed junk foods down our throats by blending the plant-based faux meats with real beef.

Or how about an upcoming Sustainability Conference coming to San Francisco, with former U.S. President Barack Obama speaking as the keynote, where beef has been banned from the menu?

And all of that ignores the obvious, that beef tastes great, is great for you and is actually beneficial to the planet. Not sure our consumers are hearing that message? Consider sharing this white paper from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which explains that only 3.7% of greenhouse gas emissions come directly from U.S. beef. Read about the white paper here.

Today’s blog took you on a trip where we discussed meth, driving on icy roads, ridiculous ad campaigns and the phoniness of fake meat and fake propaganda that propels plant-based diets forward while throwing nutritious beef under the bus.

Thanks for sticking with me. Please share today’s blog to help spread the word and let me know what you think about CCF’s ad campaign!

The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of beefmagazine.com or Farm Progress.

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
BEEF Magazine is the source for beef production, management and market news.

You May Also Like