New Delhi:
Yes, you read it right! India's one of the most favourite fast food chains McDonald's is cutting back on tomatoes in its products due to severe crunch in the market. The US burger chain decided to deprive its customers of the vegetable after its price spiked up to 400 per cent to Rs 80 - Rs 100.
A notice displayed inside Sector-15 Noida outlet 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.
However, senior executives at McDonald's India told TOI that 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).
Notably the use of tomatoes has been cut down only in McDonald's stores in northern and eastern regions of the country run by Connaught Plaza Restaurants LTD (CRPL).
CRPL was recently news as a legal dispute between the company and McDonald's had led to shut down of 43 of the total 55 outlets in Delhi.
The CPRL is the local joint venture between Vikram Bakshi and McDonald's. Since last two years, Vikram Bakshi and McDonald's are in loggerheads over control of CPRL and arbitration proceeding is being pursued by the food chain at the London Court of International Arbitration.
The legal proceedings had caused failure to apply for renewal of license for many eateries.
