You would be surprised the number of people (millennials specifically) that think pork is white meat. My own husband included when I first started working for the Pork Board.

A halo effect I suppose from the “the other white meat” marketing campaign of the late 80s and 90s, but the truth (as we in the meat industry all know) is that pork is red meat.

Just recently, I had a high school friend come and stay with me who does not eat all meats, so I called her up while she was on her way to ask about her dietary restrictions so that I could have the appropriate meats on hand. Her response – “I don’t eat pork and red meat.” I swiftly rebutted and let her know that pork is red meat. The conversation turned into a debate about why she thought pork was white meat. She commented that she had had this debate multiple times, but that she just did not care and she would continue to state that she does not eat pork and red meat.

Ignorance is bliss I guess. What did this experience teach me and what is the insight you should be aware of? Do not be afraid to state the obvious.

Whether it is a subtle statement on a label that meat is protein or that pork is red meat, stating the obvious is not a bad thing, because my fellow millennial might not be aware. They are a whole new generation that needs teaching and meat education 101.

Additionally, do not underestimate the power of a great tagline and the halo that it might create for generations to come. What is old is new again after all, like bell-bottomed jeans and platform shoes. "Beef: It’s what’s for dinner" came back. Maybe “the other white meat” will come back someday (no, I am not foreshadowing anything).

However, while there is value in that health message, and we want millennials to hold on to the fact that pork is a great lean protein source, we don’t really want them thinking pork is white meat or beef is unhealthy or whatever other misconceptions they have about the meat industry.

We instead want to convey and teach millennials about the wonderful flavor of pork, because this isn’t your mama’s pork chop dripping in gravy because it is overdone and has no marbling, it’s “the other white meat” with a twist.

Let me know what you think. Do you think there are other halos that contribute to millennial misunderstandings?

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of ‘Pork the Other White Meat’

Join for free* to continue reading.