Burger King Apologizes for Ad Showing Hindu Goddess

by Sara Bonisteel, Posted Jul 9th 2009 @ 4:30PM

Hindu goddess Lakshmi.
Photo: Meanest Indian, Flickr

For the second time this year, Burger King has apologized for a sandwich ad. The burger chain has pulled an ad showing the Hindu goddess Lakshmi's image over a sandwich after complaints that it implied the deity ate beef; Hindus believe the cow is sacred.

The Hindu American Foundation, via its website, called for an immediate cease to the campaign calling it, "highly disrespectful and offensive to Hindus worldwide."

The ad, which ran only in Spain, showed Lakshmi over a trio of foods (including a doughnut) with the phrase "la merienda es sagrada" -- the snack is sacred, the Telegraph reports.

"We are apologizing because it wasn't our intent to offend anyone," spokeswoman Denise T. Wilson said to the Telegraph. "Burger King Corporation values and respects all of its guests as well as the communities we serve. This in-store advertisement was running to support only local promotion for three restaurants in Spain and was not intended to offend anyone -- out of respect for the Hindu community, the limited-time advertisement has been removed from the restaurants."

In April, a Burger King ad for the "Texican" burger that showing a small wrestler with a Mexican-flag-like cape angered Mexican officials, prompting the chain to apologize.

[Via Telegraph]

What do you think of Burger King ads?
They're funny	4413 (31.1%)
Eh	3689 (26.0%)
Tasteless	6070 (42.8%)

Filed Under: Food News, Fast Food
Tags: apology, burger king, burger king ad, BurgerKing, BurgerKingAd, controversy, lakshmi

Chew on This

Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed! - YumSugar

Make Your Own Pop Tarts - CHOW
Denny's Introduces a Maple Bacon Sundae - Eater
Whole Foods Opening Bars in Stores - USA Today
Rules Of Bar Etiquette -- For The Bartender - HuffPost Food

Reader comments (Page 1 of 12)

7-09-2009 @8:09PM Citizen said... I'm already boycotting Burger King because of running the Spongebob ad ("I Like Square Butts") and I'm not shopping there until April 15, 2010 which is the one year anniversary of my boycott.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:09PM N said... I have forbidden my children to go into burgerking for at least a year dur to their preverted king and tasteless ads with teaching rudeness..disrepect, and booty booty,,,,these people are nuts
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:14PM wyldsyde53 said... Maybe for the sake of saving face we should avoid using any and all religious figures for any type of marketing. Only cartoons of Mohammed are funny but even then not for marketing purposes.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:17PM jwhardester said... u all need to get a life
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:21PM Alan W. said... Darn and I was going to get Madonna in an ad for a baconburger -- oh, I forgot, she's not kosher.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:21PM jwhardester said... beef is good
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:22PM thomas frey said... I am done eating anything from BK. One tasteless ad after another. (See voting results above). This alone should get some ad men (or women) fired. And we wonder why the younger gen is going to hell.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:24PM Carole said... What is the matter with the people doint the Burger King Ads?? Have they ever heard of diversity training? I cannot believe the insensitivity let alone stupidity!!
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:28PM Loupy said... Burger King has the worse commercials I have ever seen. They need to hire a new ad agency as the one they have is sic!! We always change the channel when their ads come on. They are disgusting!
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:30PM Kathi said... The best one was last weekend on Nascar, with TONY STEWART.... hilarious... Some of you need to really lighten up.... its a commerical for cripe sakes.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:33PM gailwrits said... No more pickles no more lettuce seems your tasteless adds upset us, All we ask it that you take your restaurant away. Burger Kind has gone too far, I'm not ever eating there again
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:35PM M16izPrO said... Jesus christ people you see worst stuff on TV than BK ads. Do you really go to BK because of the ads? No you go to eat. Who cares if you dont eat BK or not they are not losing any money.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:54PM mike said... What do you expect with this current administration they pretend to have morals but we all know they don't
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-10-2009 @12:05AM Loupy said... who are you, Loupy? Why is your login on my web page?
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:40PM Nancy said... BK is my favorite fast food but their ad campaigns lately have been waaaaaaaaaaay off target. I hate the Square buts ad and frankly I think the king image is frightening. Diversity training would be useful. I thought the object of advertising was to entice observers to use the product or make the brand memorable. BK, get a grip and fire your current agency because your ads make me want to NOT use your products OR remember the ads. (BTW I have no idea who your agency is nor have any other motives.) You ads lately just suck!
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:42PM Pannasch67 said... Burger King has not had a decent ad campaign in years. They have gotten so creepy, especially their BK mascot. I'm astounded that they are still in business.
They need to return to the "Have It Your Way" days.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-09-2009 @8:44PM fknhippie said... how disrespectful can you get? remember the creepy bathtub ad? someone should fire those advertisers before the company goes bankrupt and has to shut their doors ...oh ....wait a minute.......Never mind lol
Reply