Burger King drops pricey tomatoes from India menu following McD and Subway

Burger King in India has embarked on a tomato-free journey, bidding farewell to tomatoes in its delicious offerings.

"Even tomatoes deserve a vacation... we regret to inform you that tomatoes are currently unavailable in our menu items," humorously stated notices at two Burger King outlets in India, as reported by Reuters.

So, why is this happening, you ask? It appears that the mischievous tomato prices have engaged in a game of hopscotch, leaving the fast-food establishment with no choice but to say goodbye.

"Why are there no tomatoes in my burgers?" inquired a customer on Burger King India's customer support website.

The fast-food giant clarified that its Indian franchisee maintains "exceptionally high quality standards" and assured that tomatoes will soon make their way back to the menu.

But, why

• India experienced a significant surge in essential item prices, with tomato prices skyrocketing to an astonishing 250 rupees per kilo in July.
• This sharp increase was driven by monsoon rains that wreaked havoc on crop production and supply routes.

• As these rain-related challenges compounded the tomato supply shortage, prices soared by an astonishing 450%, reaching unprecedented levels.

• India initiated tomato imports from nearby Nepal to alleviate the supply crunch.

• Tomatoes are now being sold at approximately Rs 50-60 per kg.

In July, the cost of everyday commodities in India witnessed a substantial rise, reaching the highest level in 15 months – around 7.4%. Food prices played a significant role in this surge, and tomatoes were a primary factor behind the higher prices.

So there you have it, a tale of tomatoes, rains, and record-breaking prices, all entwined in a dramatic dance of supply and demand.

Burger King is not the sole fast-food chain omitting tomatoes from its menu. McDonald's and Subway are also part of the tomato-free trend.

Tomato-free trend at McDonald's and Subway

• McDonald's India - North and East division stated that the fast-food giant was "constrained from incorporating tomatoes" into its menu items due to "seasonal challenges" in sourcing.

"Despite our best efforts, we are unable to procure sufficient quantities of tomatoes that meet our rigorous quality standards," read notices displayed in two McDonald's establishments in New Delhi, the capital city.

• Certain Subway outlets in India have also suspended the inclusion of tomatoes in their salads and sandwiches due to quality concerns.
• An outlet located in a Delhi airport terminal took a creative approach to address this issue, featuring a sign that reads "Temporary Unavailability of TOMATOES."

• While temporarily offering products without tomatoes, they are diligently working to restore tomato supplies.
• The sign explained that the restaurant was grappling with a scarcity of tomatoes that met its stringent quality standards.

The impact of rising food prices extends beyond the realm of tomatoes.

Subway has opted to discontinue the provision of free cheese slices, which they had generously offered for years. In a cost-saving move, they have replaced these slices with the flavorful alternative of cheese sauce.

Meanwhile, Domino's has made an attempt to alleviate the impact of inflation on consumers by offering pizzas for as little as Rs 49, making it the most affordable option globally.

Burger King, with an impressive 400 outlets across India, is the latest addition to the list of fast-food giants in the country bidding farewell to tomatoes in their menu items.

So, do you prefer your burgers without tomatoes?