Earlier this week we shared the news that Air New Zealand was getting creative with its in flight menu by dishing up the plant-based Impossible Burger by Silicon Valley food tech start-up Impossible Foods.
The plant-based burger patty cooks, smells and tastes like beef but contains no animal products whatsoever.
We thought the news was pretty cool, especially for vegan and vegetarian passengers who can often do it tough on flights when comes to food offerings.
Not everyone was so positive about Air New Zealand’s cutting-edge food choices though.
The New Zealand Herald quoted Primary Industries Spokesperson for New Zealand First, Mark Patterson, as saying that the Impossible Burger was a slap in the face for New Zealand’s red-meat producers.
He wasn’t the only voice of public anger either.
MP for New Zealand’s National Party Nathan Guy made an angry tweet.
“Disappointing to see Air NZ promoting a GE substitute meat burger on its flights to the USA. We produce the most delicious steaks and lamb on the planet – GMO and hormone free.”
MP for New Zealand’s National Party Nathan Guy
“The national carrier should be pushing our premium products and helping sell NZ to the world,” he said on Twitter.
These outraged carnivores should remember this: the Impossible Burger is just one menu item, available on Business Premier menus on flights from Los Angeles to Auckland.
WE REPEAT: ONE ITEM.
When the news of the burger was announced earlier this week, Air New Zealand’s Inflight Customer Experience Manager Niki Chave even went as far as to say: “for those who want to stay with the tried and true it (the Impossible Burger) will sit alongside our regular selection of menu items”.
We’re sure Air New Zealand isn’t going totally vegan, getting a man bun or banning New Zealand’s famous lamb from its flights.
READ: TASTE THE FUTURE: Air New Zealand serves up the impossible
READ: VEGAN FOOD TOURS: No meat, no dairy during Intrepid’s specialty trip