The UAE's vegan community is disappointed by what they deem as "false advertising" after Starbucks launched an expanded selection of "plant-based" offerings last week.
This includes two sandwiches made using Beyond Beef, a vegan meat substitute, both of which include either cheese or labneh.
The term "plant-based" is more commonly used to describe vegan food, rather than anything containing animal products, and so there was confusion over the inclusion of dairy.
Why not make sure vegans can enjoy the new food launch, so that the brand is more socially inclusive?
"Seriously?! Take a Beyond Meat product and add cheese to it!" wrote one user on the Facebook group Vegans take Dubai.
The new additions are also being marketed as in keeping with the coffee shop chain's "sustainability commitment and global aspiration to be a resource-positive company". However, the vegan community argues, dairy farming practices are among the most unsustainable.
Another user on the Facebook group commented: "Starbucks doesn’t exist for me anymore. First they were charging for plant milks, then they refused to give coffee in our own cups, then all that [rubbish] with removing plastic straws and redesigning a cup that is lined with plastic and has a plastic lid to save the environment. Those wraps are a joke."
Becoming more 'socially inclusive'
Ananda Shakespeare, founder of public relations agency Shakespeare Communications and pop-up Dubai Vegan Days, says brands need to be careful when using the term "plant-based" in their marketing.
Shakespeare, who has been vegan for 27 years, says: "I was confused when the term ‘plant-based’ came along. In the vegan community it seems to refer to people that eat vegan, but still wear animal products such as leather shoes or aren’t as vigilant with the toiletries, make-up, cleaning materials, etc, they use."
The words "vegan" and "vegetarian" have clearer definitions, she says, "so why not stick to them and avoid confusion?"
"Similarly, why not make sure vegans can enjoy the new food launch, so that the brand is more socially inclusive, more ethical and build more goodwill with all your customers?"
That said, she adds she's happy that there is one clearly labelled vegan option available across Starbucks branches in the UAE. "I think the disappointment is centred around using a vegan burger with non-vegan ingredients. People think it's non-sensical when it could be completely vegan."
'Do it properly or not at all'
Longtime vegan and Dubai resident Emily Evans agrees. "I think it's great mainstream restaurants and cafes are including more meat-free options, but calling these items 'plant-based' is wrong.
"Yes, the patty might be 'plant-based', but to state they’re from ‘the new plant-based menu’ is just false advertising.
"I’m really not sure who their target audience is here. If they’re trying to attract vegans, then it’s a waste of time as we can’t eat it. If they’re trying to attract health conscious folk, then it’s a waste of time as dairy is far from healthy.
"Companies need to stop half-heartedly adding 'plant-based' items to their menu – either do it properly or don’t do it at all."
The National reached out to Starbucks for comment.
"The new Beyond Meat menu has been specially developed to address customer demand for meat-free options, which include increased plant-based protein content in the Middle East," a spokesperson said.
The brand says it will continue to expand its menus, aiming to also launch another fully vegan product this year, "which will be an exciting experience for our vegan and non-vegan customers".
'It says zero per cent meat'
A similar situation occurred recently when Burger King UAE began advertising its "plant-based" burger, which not only uses non-vegan ingredients, but is also cooked on the same grill as meat products and so is not suitable for vegetarians, either.
This spurred users of Vegan takes Dubai to submit a complaint of "false advertising" to the Department of Economic Development.
"It seems that not only the mayo has egg like the disclaimer states, but they told some people that the patty itself has egg, too," wrote the user who created the DED complaint. "It’s also grilled on same equipment and so in the UK it has the disclaimer 'not suitable for vegetarians', but here they are getting away with it."
The brand later released imagery that explained more about its ingredients, clarifying that its patty and bun contained no animal products at all.
Others argued that the brand had been transparent in this case.
"How’s it false advertising?" asked another user on the Facebook group. "It says 0 per cent meat which is true. It doesn’t say it’s vegan on the advert? It’s just a vegetarian option. Yes, they could’ve put the effort in to make it vegan, but they didn’t. Plenty of vegan restaurants / options."
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Getting%20there
%3Cp%3EGiven%20its%20remote%20location%2C%20getting%20to%20Borneo%20can%20feel%20daunting%20even%20for%20the%20most%20seasoned%20traveller.%20But%20you%20can%20fly%20directly%20from%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20to%20Sandakan%20and%20Sepilok%20is%20only%20half%20an%20hour%20away%20by%20taxi.%20Sandakan%20has%20plenty%20of%20accommodation%20options%2C%20while%20Sepilok%20has%20a%20few%20nature%20lodges%20close%20to%20the%20main%20attractions.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
