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."
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
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
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
SCORES IN BRIEF
Lahore Qalandars 186 for 4 in 19.4 overs
(Sohail 100,Phil Salt 37 not out, Bilal Irshad 30, Josh Poysden 2-26)
bt Yorkshire Vikings 184 for 5 in 20 overs
(Jonathan Tattersall 36, Harry Brook 37, Gary Ballance 33, Adam Lyth 32, Shaheen Afridi 2-36).
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
THREE
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
LOVE%20AGAIN
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AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR
US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.
KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Summer special
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
THE SPECS – Honda CR-V Touring AWD
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Power: 184hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 244Nm at 3,900rpm
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
0-100kmh in 9.4 seconds
Top speed: 202kmh
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
Price: From Dh122,900
Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BLACKBERRY
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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