Amid high prices, tomatoes go missing from Burger King India outlets

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Burger King outlets in India, patrons are no longer getting tomatoes in their wraps and burgers amid persisting high prices. Notices pasted at two Burger King India outlets read, «Even tomatoes need a vacation… we are unable to add tomatoes to our food,», Reuters reported on August 16. Burger King is one of India's biggest burger chains with nearly 400 outlets.

It may be noted here that rivals McDonald's and Subway stores have also removed tomatoes from their menus. The US sandwich chain even cancelled the free cheese slices that were on offer for years at its outlets. «Why are there no tomatoes in my burgers?» reads a question on the support page of Burger King India's web site.

Its Indian franchisee follows «very high standards of quality» and tomatoes will be back soon, the answer says. It further says, «We request your patience and understanding.»Restaurant Brands Asia, which operates Burger King in India, did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters. July retail inflation data released this week showed prices of vegetables rising 37% year on year.

The cost of staples — from onions and peas to garlic and ginger — have all gone up. As part of its efforts to handle the ongoing supply crisis, the govt has begun tomato imports from Nepal. It has also organised vans to distribute the staple at cheaper rates across the country, where, according to social media accounts, huge queues have formed regularly.