A vegan has vowed never to step foot in a Subway ever again, after the sandwich chain sent "degrading" flyers allegedly mocking Venganuary, by suggesting customers enjoy alternatives such as "Steakuary" and "Turkeyuary."
Livid Jamie Carter received the leaflet through his door at the beginning of the month, advertising a range of sub options suited to Veganuary, Tunauary, ChickenTeriyakiuary and B.M.T.uary, and other meaty month names.
"I'm not happy, I felt disappointed. I thought I might fancy a Subway so went to see if they had any offers in the leaflet. I turned it over and to my dismay I felt they were making a mockery of Veganuary," Jamie, from Norwich, said.
"I've never seen any company, let alone such a big one, make a mockery of Veganuary. They include so many meats like 'Steakuary' or 'Turkeybreastuary, it was just a marketing opportunity for them
"I'd rather they just promoted Veganuary, it was unnecessary to add all the other terms. This should be a time of promoting a more ethical option. I was just pretty dumbfounded. I've never seen any other wording like that. I'll happily boycott them now."
The 27-year-old, who has been a vegan for two years and was previously vegetarian for 18 years, took to Facebook to vent about the "absolute p***take pamphlet" to his followers, who branded it "pathetic" and "f***ing vile."
"Subway UK & Ireland very disappointed with you making a mockery of Veganuary," he wrote.
"Posting a leaflet promoting people to eat whoever they want instead of promoting a cruelty-free compassionate option. SHAME ON YOU."
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Now the animal rights activist has vowed to boycott Subway despite having "at least 10" within walking distance of his home as he feels the chain have "undone their efforts" to support plant-based eating.
Jamie said: "This is a month where it should really be hitting home that there's other tasty options. I posted it online to see if anyone else had the same feelings as me, and an awful lot of people do.
"That was the first time I've ever addressed a big company directly and I've still not had a response from them. It's a leaflet with six vouchers inside - only one of which is for their plant-based section. The rest apply to any of their meat or dairy products.
"Other than the post, people have been contacting me [privately]. The general consensus is that people aren't happy. I do generally speak to like-minded people and they think it's degrading to the cause.
"I thought [Subway] had made a step in the right direction by bringing out plant-based options and they've done a 180 now. It's like they've undone their efforts so far."
After posting online, Jamie received a number of responses from unamused followers who agreed it wasn't the best move for the sandwich chain.
"Pathetic. Wouldn't go there anyway," one wrote, while another added: "F***ing vile to use the Veganuary word and [to] add flesh 'fleshanuary' it is literally taking the p***. I’m pleased I’m no regular at this place."
"This poster is not funny," a third wrote, while a fourth commented: "They can stuff it! I'll make my own rolls and a lot cheaper too."
Subway was contacted for comment.
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