Burger without tomatoes! can anyone imagine it? Yes, Burger King, the major fast-food chain recently decided to temporarily stop tomato and burgers from its wraps across its Indian outlets due to a sharp price hike.
The move clearly indicates that the growing food inflation crisis is significantly impacting consumers in the world’s most populous country.
The chain, grappling with tomato shortages, humorously posted notices in its outlets, “Even tomatoes need a holiday… We can’t add tomatoes to our food.”
Quality concerns have been cited as the primary reason for this move.
It’s important to note that, prior to Burger King, two major fast-food chains—McDonald’s and Subway—have already decided to remove tomatoes from their menu, reflecting a broader struggle with food inflation.
Retail inflation in India hit a 15-month high of 7.4% in July due to rising food prices, with tomatoes playing a major contributing factor.
The impact of rising food inflation is not limited to tomatoes. For example, Subway recently discontinued the free cheese slices it had offered with its subs for years. The food giant is offering a cheese sauce instead of cost-cutting measures.
Meanwhile, Domino’s is offering a pizza at ₹49 – it’s most affordable globally to connect with customers facing financial challenges.
Experts say the tomato shortage crisis has coincided with a price hike of up to 450%, reaching unprecedented levels due to disruptions caused by monsoon rains that have affected crop yields and supply chains.
Although these upheavals have subsided somewhat, the industry continues to grapple with their reverberations.
Curious customers have asked, “Why is there no tomato on my burger?” On the Burger King India support page.
Feedback confirms that the Indian franchise maintains “very high standards of quality” and promises that Tomatoes will be back soon.
