The "morbid" image of a pig named Harold has caused controversy online. Photo / Instagram
The "morbid" image of a pig named Harold has caused controversy online. Photo / Instagram
Kiwi sausage company Bangerritos has come under fire over an Instagram post featuring a pig in happier times, which followers deemed "disgusting".
However, the company has denied the image is in poor taste - and says people should know more about where their meat comes from.
The post features an image of a pig named Harold bathing in mud with a promotion for the company's latest batch of sausages below it.
"Harold (pictured) is no longer with us. However, a lot of free-range, fresh Pork Bangerritos are now available," the post read, alongside instructions on stockists.
Instagram users called the post "morbid" "disgusting" and an "epic fail".
"Is this a joke?" wrote one. "This is a foul and disgusting post," said another.
The Bangerritos Instagram has been bombarded by negative responses. Photo / Instagram
Bangerritos responded to the negative comments, saying animal welfare was extremely important to their business.
"Only a tiny fraction of pork sausages in NZ are free-range. Animal welfare is incredibly important to us and we're proud to use free-range pork shoulder, even though it costs us an arm and a leg. We believe happy pigs make for happy sausages."
Bangerritos stated they never intended to cause offence and that using free-range pork was "the right thing to do".
"Our aim was certainly not to offend anyone - our intentions are pure. We're passionate about doing the right thing and using the best quality ingredients.
"We use NZ free-range pork and will continue to do so. Not just because it tastes better, but because it's the right thing to do."
The image has now been deleted from social media. Photo / Instagram
Speaking to the Herald, Bangerritos Founder and CEO Ben Polkinghorne shared his surprise with the negative responses the image received.
"To be honest I'm slightly surprised at the attention it's received," he said.
"We have gone to great lengths to ensure every single ingredient that goes into our award-winning sausages is of the highest quality. This extends to our free-range pork."
When asked if the post was a joke Polkinghorne responded that it was "somewhere in between".
"The post was to let people know Bangerritos were back in-store and to raise awareness of us using only the highest quality free-range pork. The photo in question is from our free-range pork supplier - the only liberty I took was in naming the pig."
As for "Harold's" current situation, Polkinghorne claimed he doesn't know "for certain" if Harold is deceased, or if he is continuing out the rest of his days in the mud.
