A dairy industry advert which promotes the use of animal milk and attempts to demonize plant milk has massively backfired after it was hijacked by vegans on social media. 

A post on Facebook by REAL Seal Dairy suggests cow’s milk is better for our health than rice milk. The dairy industry body shared an image comparing cow’s milk to rice milk titled ‘Fake “Dairy” is scary”.

“Do you know what’s in rice beverage? It’s all a bunch of hocus pocus. See what’s really hiding behind the mask,” the post claimed. 

The images compare the two drinks, with the dairy milk having simple labels of ‘Vitamin A’ and ‘Vitamin D’. 

The image claims rice milk consists of filtered water, brown rice, canola oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil and sea salt. 

But Facebook users were not fooled by the misleading post, and slammed the ad in the comments section.

‘Moo-ve to plants’

“Cows milk is meant for baby cows. You can make your own plant milk. Oat milk is not only cheap to make but it produces less of a carbon imprint on the planet compared to cows milk. Moo-ve to plants,” one person wrote.

Another added: “It’s so super cute that you’re literally encouraging folks to remember the phrase “dairy is scary” ? even if they search with the word “fake” in front they will still get Erin Janus’s video at the top of the results! ??”

Others pointed out that the graphic lacked sufficient information. 

“Actual rice milk has: about 120 calories, 100 mg sodium, and 2.5 grams of fat. As pictured by dairy association: something like 710 calories, 13,952 mg sodium, and 56 grams of fat,” one Facebook user pointed out.

“This is great! All the vegans gathering. I’ll tell ya this, the first week I cut out all dairy my allergies went away. Over all health improved and just feel 100 times better. This industry of exploiting cows and their babies is phasing out, not soon enough. Want to feel better? Cut out all dairy products,” another said.

Read our favourite comments below:

• Read: Earthling Ed hits back at farmers who ‘lost their minds’ over Tesco vegan sausage ad

What do you think of this dairy industry advert? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Oli Gross

Oli’s career and personal ethical values both help shape his reporting of the diverse world of veganism. His background is in local newspaper and magazine journalism, and his work has included reporting court cases, celebrity interviews, business analysis, food and drink features and government legislation.

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