McDonald’s drops tomatoes from its menu; company cited temporary issue

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• Jul 7, 2023 | Dhupali Das

McDonald's has dropped tomatoes from its menu in many parts of India, citing... 

Digital Desk: McDonald's has dropped tomatoes from its menu in many parts of India, citing supply problems and quality concerns after vegetable prices reached all-time highs.

Tomatoes have been removed from the fast-food chain's burgers, sandwiches, and salads in some restaurants in several parts of India.

"Despite our best efforts, we are not able to get adequate quantities of tomatoes which pass our stringent quality checks. We are forced to serve you products without tomatoes," read notices posted in two McDonald's stores in New Delhi.

According to Connaught Plaza Restaurants, which operates around 150 shops as a McDonald's franchisee in India's north and east, the problem was caused by quality concerns in the supply chain rather than pricing.

The statement said that the company was "currently facing some temporary supply chain disruptions" and was "working closely with our suppliers to resolve the issue as soon as possible."

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The statement also stated that the company was "committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services" and that it will "continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed."

However, Westlife Foodworld, the McDonald's franchisee for India's western and southern regions, informed Reuters that there were "no serious tomato-related issues." Even Subway stated that there is no shortage of tomatoes.

The issue was seasonal, forcing 10% to 15% of its outlets to temporarily discontinue serving tomatoes, it said.

Tomato prices in India have risen in recent months, reaching a record high of Rs 140 per kilogram in June. The price increase has been linked to a variety of factors, including a poor monsoon season and increasing demand from the food processing industry.

The rising cost of tomatoes is a huge concern for Indian eateries, as tomatoes are a key ingredient in many recipes. The hike in prices is anticipated to put further pressure on restaurant profits, potentially leading to increased consumer costs.