Vegan cheese ad suggests putting product on beef burgers - and naturally some people hate it

A vegan cheese ad has caused a bit of a social media storm after suggesting shoppers should use its product on beef burgers.

In a world where more and more people are embracing a flexitarian lifestyle, the idea of subbing in plant-based ingredients as and when you have them isn't a foreign one to many.

But it was something that some members of the plant-based community weren't too happy about.

The cheese advert suggested using real beef patties (Credit: Daiya)

The commercial, from the brand Daiya, is definitely playing up to this, with a voiceover declaring: "This might just be the most controversial commercial of all time."

"Plant-based cheese companies like us aren’t supposed to show beef in ads," they go on. "But at Daiya, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy plant-based cheese, even on a beef burger."

As part of a campaign called "100 Percent Plant-Based, Even If You’re Not," the advert signs off by saying, "enough controversy, let’s eat."

Reacting to the campaign on Reddit, the vegan community were divided over the marketing decision.

Some vegans weren't happy with the ad campaign (Credit: Daiya)

Some fumed the brand was "not a vegan ally," whilst another wrote: "I'll be purchasing other brands in the future."

"Shame on you Daiya!," said someone else on Twitter. "I would rather support a vegan business not promoting death."

Meanwhile, others understood the need for the campaign.

"As long as they literally aren’t selling a product made with meat. I recognize they need to appeal to those who just don’t eat dairy - lame as it is. Guess some brands cannot exist solely for vegans," one wrote.

The campaign's slogan seeks to draw in non vegan shoppers (Credit: Daiya)

"I mean… if it gets more people to eat less animal products…," someone else agreed.

"Our aim is not to convert, but to invite everyone to discover and enjoy the benefits of plant-based eating, showing how our products can add delicious variety to their meals, enhancing the culinary experience for all, regardless of dietary choices," said John Kelly, chief marketing officer at Daiya, to Adweek.

The campaign, which will run alongside a relaunch of Daiya’s website, is said to run on TV and across social platforms in the U.S. and Canada, and similar ads will be on streamers like Spotify too.

What do you think? Is this worth the uproar?

Featured image: Daiya