As Tomato Prices Skyrocket, McDonald’s Drops The Veggie From Menu Lists At Several Stores

McDonald's India, North and East, on Friday announced that it was dropping the vegetable from its menu items because of a 'temporary' seasonal issue in procurement

Several McDonald's stores across India have dropped tomato from their menu lists, according to news reports. McDonald's India, North and East, on Friday announced that it was dropping the vegetable from its menu items because of a 'temporary' seasonal issue in procurement. McDonald's India, North and East, spokesperson in a statement on Friday said the fast food chain is "constrained to serve tomatoes" in its menu items due to "seasonal issues."

"Despite our best efforts, we are no able to get adequate quantities of tomatoes which pass our world class stringent quality checks. Hence, for the time being, we are forced to serve you products without tomatoes. We are working to get the tomato supplies back," a notice displayed at the outlet by Connaught Plaza Restaurants said.

In a statement, McDonald's India, North and East, stated, "As a brand committed to the highest standards of food quality and safety, we use ingredients only after rigorous food quality and safety checks. However, due to seasonal issues and despite our best efforts, we are not able to procure tomatoes that pass our world-class, stringent quality checks."

McDonald's India’s West and South franchise, on the other hand, said while 10-15 per cent of its stores have stopped serving tomatoes, the chain is not facing any "serious tomato-related issues". It pointed out that fruit flies are a "common annoyance" during the monsoon and that if found, flawed batches of tomatoes are discarded. "This is a seasonal problem that the restaurant and food industry has to face every monsoon," McDonald's India, West and South said.

MMG Group is McDonald's partner for North and East India, while Westlife Foodworld is the partner for South and West India.

The cost of tomatoes has skyrocketed because of heavy rainfall. Seasonal issues have impacted supply chains, transportation, and crop quality. Prices of tomatoes in Delhi, Kolkata, and Uttar Pradesh have reached Rs 130-155 per kg. According to news reports, price of tomatoes has touched Rs 150 in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad, while rates in the rest of the country also continue to surge. It is being sold at Rs 129 per kg in Delhi's Safal store.