In North and East India, burger chain McDonald's has cut sliced tomatoes out of its wraps and burgers, allegedly due to concerns over the poor quality of the crop. Some speculate that the increase in price of the commodity may have influenced their decision, a claim the company denies.
A notice displayed at the outlets by Connaught Plaza Restaurants, which operates McDonald's stores in northern and eastern regions of the country, explained that the company was unable to add tomatoes in various products due to temporary unavailability. Unpredictable conditions have impacted the tomato crop, its quality and supply, the notice said.
In the past few months, tomato prices in the country have spiked. The latest wholesale price inflation data showed vegetable prices jumped 17% year-on-year in June. Retail prices also revealed a similar stubborn trend. On Thursday 14 July, online grocer BigBasket listed the price of tomatoes as Rs 69 per kg on its website.
However, senior executives at McDonald's India said the move to curtail the use of tomatoes in its offerings was not the result of high prices but poor quality. "We are working towards resolving this issue," said a spokesperson for McDonald's India (North & East).
Executives at several McDonald's outlets in the capital that TOI spoke to said the company was currently not using any substitute for tomato. "We are making do with lettuce and onions. We are waiting for supplies to resume," said an executive at a McDonald's outlet in central Delhi.
Interestingly, Westlife Development that operates McDonald's outlets in West and South India, is facing no such issues with the quality of tomatoes. Supply has not been hit either.
(1 Indian Rupee=0.015USD)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
