Burger King is accused of 'promoting cancer and obesity' with controversial bundle of joy birth ad

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Burger King has a palace full of complaints after dropping its controversial 'Arrived At' campaign that shows mothers eating a Whopper after giving birth as critics squall it 'promotes cancer and obesity.' 

On September 26, Burger King UK released a video showing moms through the trials and tribulations of labor before one husband says: 'This is the moment we've all been waiting for' as he walked into the hospital with his wife's bag of food. 

Nearly 40 percent of the 2,000 moms surveyed found women crave a greasy burger and fries after suffering through hours of labor, a Mumsnet/Burger King survey found. 

While many women praised the campaign, some said it was promoting an unhealthy choice for new moms. 

'I never thought I'd say this, but this ad goes too far in search of fame,' naysayer Will Poskett said in a now-viral LinkedIn post. 'It's an ad that promotes cancer [and] obesity-causing ultra-processed foods next to the birth of a newborn baby.' 

Poskett - an 'award-winning strategist' - agreed that many moms might crave a burger after labor, 'BUT promoting UPFs like this is cynical and disgusting.' 

On September 26, Burger King UK released an ad campaign showing mothers eating a Whopper after giving birth. Nearly 40 percent of the 2,000 moms surveyed found women crave a greasy burger and fries after suffering through hours of labor 

While many women praised the campaign, some, like Will Poskett, said it was promoting an unhealthy choice for new moms. 'It's an ad that promotes cancer [and] obesity-causing ultra-processed foods next to the birth of a newborn baby,' he wrote in a now-viral LinkedIn post 

Poskett got so much hatred, especially from moms and pregnant women, he issued a second post, apologizing for 'mansplaining what women can and cannot do.' 

'My issue with [Burger King] was not to comment on what women can and cannot eat. My comment was toward the [Burger King] - it felt cheap and cynical,' he said, while praising a Grubhub ad that promoted a similar message of women enjoying a meal after giving birth. 

'GrubHub's ad feels empowering, not cynical. It shows a diverse cast of women enjoying a diverse range of foods - from sandwiches to sushi and yes even burgers. Unlike the BK ad it doesn't cynically enforce a burger as the only option,' he said. 

Despite the backlash, Poskett wasn't the only one ready to throw the Burger King ad in the trash and criticize the meal choice of postpartum moms, with many calling the ad 'unsettling' and 'immoral.' 

'After childbirth, moms need nutrients, not a burger loaded with calories and sodium,' Divya Maben wrote on Instagram. 'Promoting this right after such a major physical experience feels irresponsible.' 

'This is disgusting!!! Mothers need proper nourishment after going through birth!' another echoed. 'Nobody should eat this crap, least of all new mothers and the baby that she will likely feed from her own body. 

Many moms were frustrated that their post-birth meal choices were being criticized after they just went through hours of pain and months of avoiding some of their favorite foods, like sushi and burgers. 'I'd have bitten your arm off for a burger,' one wrote on LinkedIn

'Ads glorifying junk should be banned the same way they banned smoking ads,' she grumbled. 

'This is the most immoral and wicked way of choosing the target audience. Mothers, seriously?' another wrote on the platform. 

However, many moms or soon-to-be mothers were frustrated that their post-birth meal choices were being criticized after they just went through hours of pain and months of avoiding some of their favorite foods, like sushi and burgers that are not cooked well-done, while their little ones grew. 

'I think women are smart enough to choose what to eat after birthing a baby,' one wrote on Instagram. 'Very clever marketing.' 

'Oof. I'm coming at this from the point of view of the (still semi-postpartum) person as my baby is about to be one next week so my reaction is most definitely informed by that,' Charlotte Ford began on LinkedIn. 'I actually love this campaign.' 

Others agreed with Poskett, calling the ad 'unsettling' and 'immoral.' However, some said they didn't care and they would a burger after birth anyways 

She went on to explain that 'almost all men' missed the point of the campaign, which is that many women are really hungry after giving birth as they 'not really meant to eat in labor.' 

'So, by the time you have your baby out, in your arms, you're exhausted, elated. And also (if you're me) - you're REALLY, REALLY HUNGRY,' she continued. 'And hospital food is frankly awful... I'd have bitten your arm off for a burger.' 

Jess MacIntyre, who is currently pregnant, wrote under Poskett's post: 'I've already told my husband I want McDonald's delivered to my bedside pronto after birth. 

'I'm with you on UPF in my day-to-day life, but I think after going through something as huge as birthing a human - a "f**k it, I'm treating myself" attitude just happens.' 

The Burger King/Mumsnet survey found that 55 percent of moms are left feeling 'absolutely ravenous' after giving birth, while 41 percent said they'd been dreaming of something more mouth-watering during their birth journey and were disappointed with what they ended up refueling themselves with.

The survey by Burger King is part of a campaign to commemorate the incredible efforts of new mothers, celebrating their achievement with a slap-up meal to remember.

The campaign was unveiled on September 26 to coincide with the day in which the most babies are born in the UK.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Burger King for comment.