Following a significant price increase, Burger King says they have dropped tomatoes from their menu items at Indian stores.
The fast food restaurant company claimed that “unpredictable conditions on the quality and supply of tomato crops” were the reason behind their choice.
Following McDonald’s, the burger restaurant is the second in the nation to remove the item from its menu.
According to experts, crop loss brought on by unfavourable weather has resulted in a market shortage.
Earlier this week, as India’s food inflation reached its highest level since January 2020, U.S. sandwich brand Subway likewise dropped tomatoes from its menus, according to Reuters.
Even the free cheese slices the eatery had been giving out with the sandwiches for years were discontinued.
Since the monsoon rains interrupted farming and supply networks in July, the price of essentials has risen in India, with the tomato reaching a record high of 250 rupees ($3; £2.37) per kilo.
Although tomato prices have dipped, India started importing tomatoes from its neighbour Nepal earlier this month to address the supply shortage.
In the northern states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, and the nation’s capital Delhi, these are being sold for 50 rupees a kilogramme.
“Why are there no tomatoes in my burgers?” is a new feature that Burger King India added on its website on Wednesday.
The restaurant business declared that its Indian franchisee adhered to “very high standards of quality” and that tomatoes will soon be back on the menu.
“Till then, we request your patience and understanding,” it said.
Last month, McDonald’s dropped tomatoes from most of its northern and eastern India outlets.
The fast food giant attributed the decision to quality concerns, not the price surge.
