Food & Beverage

Burger King US wipes out Whoppers' artificial add-ins

In the U.S. all Burger King Whoppers have dropped artifical colors, flavors and preservatives. (Photo: Provided)

September 17, 2020

Burger King's Whopper sandwiches are now free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives thanks to "substantial changes" made by the company to embrace "real food and high-quality ingredients," according to a company press release. In fact, 85% of the Burger King permanent U.S. menu items are free of colors, flavors, and preservatives from artificial sources. The brand said it planned to rid the permanent menu completely of such additives by the beginning of next year.

"We put a lot of effort into the Whopper to make it taste great and the real Whopper free of colors, flavors and preservatives from artificial sources has the same iconic flame-grilled flavor that guests know and love," Chris Finazzo, Burger King president, Americas, said in the release. "This announcement further highlights our commitment to serve delicious, affordable meals our guests can feel good about."

Over the past few years, BK has worked to cut nearly 8,500 tons of artificial ingredients globally, including the removal earlier this year of artificial preservatives, colors and flavors from the Whopper sandwich in several European countries and select U.S. markets. Part of that push was marked by the now famous "molding" Whopper television commercial launched earlier this year.

"We know that real food tastes better and are working hard to remove all preservatives, colors and flavors from artificial sources from the burgers and food we serve in all countries around the world," Fernando Machado, Global CMO for parent company, Restaurant Brands International, said in the release. "Through our Restaurant Brands for Good framework we are committed to doing the right thing and continuously improving the quality of our food."

Burger King is highlighting the real food in the iconic Whopper by placing the Whopper Recipe front and center, for a limited-time only, in every sandwich wrapping.

Burger King system operates more than 18,800 locations in more than 100 countries and U.S. territories. The brand is based in Miami, Florida.