A plant-based, meat-flavored food product has sparked controversy after its launch on Oct. 11 on a Chinese online retail platform. 

Produced jointly by the Chinese food company Jinzi Ham and the American company Dupont, the product is being described as the "first artificial meat patty" in China. 

According to Jinzi Ham's online store, the patty is made of soybeans, wheat, starch and a variety of food additives. Two boxes of four patties, with a total net weight of 440 grams, are being offered at 118 yuan (US$16.63). Delivery is scheduled to start later in October. 

The food is being described as good for health, as it allegedly contains 11.7 grams of protein per every 100 grams. 

However, some Chinese consumers have their doubts, with most challenging the price, claiming they would rather buy fresh meat with such high expenditure. 

Some also felt the tag of the "first" was simply a publicity stunt, arguing that there have been many meat-flavored bean curd dishes served in vegetarian restaurants. 

The wholesale price of beef in Beijing, capital of China, ranged between 54 yuan (US$7.61) to 65 yuan (US$9.16) per 1 kilogram on Oct. 12, according to a website of the Ministry of Commerce, much cheaper than the meat-flavored patties. 

A total of 976 people have reportedly placed orders for the patties since their launch.