New Delhi: North and East Outlets of American fast food chain McDonald's Friday decided to drop tomatoes "temporarily" from its menu due to the recent shortage in the market caused by the surged prices.
However, McDonald's India North and East did not confirm that the surged prices of tomatoes in the market are the reason behind taking them off the menu.
"We are constrained to hold tomatoes for the time being," a company spokesperson said in a statement, stating the "non-availability of tomatoes meeting our quality standards due to seasonal crop issues arising out of farm fields in a few regions."
McDonald's India - North and East spokesperson said, "We reiterate that it is not due to the surge in the prices. It is only due to the non-availability of tomatoes meeting our quality specifications."
He further informed that restaurants mostly in the Punjab-Chandigarh area, where it is able to source the commodity in adequate quantities, McDonald's will continue to serve tomatoes on its menu.
Netizens React on Twitter
It has shaken the netizens on the internet and a user on Twitter even shared a picture of the notice put up by an outlet at Connaught Place in Delhi.
The 'precious vegetable' prices have skyrocketed in the past few weeks.
A few days back, to ease the pressure on consumers, the Tamil Nadu government started selling tomatoes at a lower price of Rs 60 per kg in about 82 fair-price shops in Chennai.
(Written by - Mahek NigamEdited By - Prateek Gautam)