Burger King has always claimed that its whoppers contain 100% beef. Still, consumers want to know just how truthful these advertisements are.
Some fast-food burger joints claim burgers are 100% beef but use fillers and artificial ingredients to pad them. If you have always wondered if Burger King burgers are made with 100% grade-A beef, read more below!
Is Burger King Beef Real?
Burger King uses USDA-approved grade-A real beef in all its burgers, free of artificial colors, preservatives, and flavorings. Despite this, there’s been controversy claiming Burger King uses horse meat in its patties. However, these rumors are false, and there’s no horse meat in Burger King’s burgers.
So, what’s the real deal? Are Burger King burgers made with real meat, fake meat, or a mix? Keep reading to find out!
Are Burger King Whoppers Made With Real Beef?
According to Burger King’s official release statements, its burgers are made with 100% beef and have been for over 60 years.
However, the claim has come under scrutiny in recent years, as some say the burgers are made with horse meat.
Burger King vehemently denies such allegations, yet the rumors persist. So, why do people assume Burger King uses horse meat in its burgers?
Burger King Burgers Made With Horse Meat?
No, Burger King does not utilize horse meat or any other type of meat besides beef in its burgers.
The rumor started when one of the chain’s international suppliers was tainted with horse meat.
However, Burger King immediately dropped the supplier and performed DNA tests to ensure no horse meat was found in its burgers.
Moreover, Burger King’s beef was later inspected for authenticity and cleared by the USDA.
Does Burger King Meat Contain Artificial Ingredients Or Fillers?
In recent years, Burger King has officially noted what its burgers are not made of. For example, Burger King assures that the following ingredients are not incorporated into its food:
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Interestingly, the latter states “from artificial sources,” which could mean the beef contains colors, flavors, or preservatives from natural derivatives.
In any case, it is good to know Burger King is trying to make its food more authentic.
Where Does Burger King Get Its Meat?
Burger King gets its meats from several American farms, including minority and women-owned ones.
Due to the horse meat debacle, Burger King tries to thoroughly vet its suppliers so that the beef is 100% authentic.
Despite its vigilance, Burger King was also found to source its beef from South America from a company called Bunge, which has been connected to millions of acres of forest clearing.
Are Burger King Patties USDA Approved?
Even though Burger King uses a farm that grazes cattle on protected lands, the USDA continues to approve its beef because the USDA’s current concentration is on quality, not sourcing.
Consequently, native ecosystems are gravely impacted despite the USDA’s continued support for beef, which is a reason why Vegans forgo eating at Burger King,
Does the Impossible Whopper Burger Contain Any Meat?
No, Burger King’s Impossible Whopper Burger doesn’t contain any meat. In fact, most of the controversy surrounding the sandwich has more to do with how it is cooked.
While flexitarians don’t mind, vegans disapprove of the sandwich because it’s cooked on a tainted grill.
Usually, vegans try to stay away from anything containing an animal, including milk or eggs.
So, because Impossible Burgers shares a grill with beef and chicken, they deem the Impossible Whopper not truly vegan-friendly.
Who Makes the Burger King Impossible Whopper Patty?
The well-known company Impossible Foods is the primary manufacturer of the Impossible Whopper patty.
That said, Burger King partnered with Impossible Foods to make a plant-based alternative to its meat-based Whopper.
Is Burger King Becoming More Sustainable?
On the heels of the revelation that Burger King is tied to deforestation in South America, the company has tried to rehab its image.
For example, one way Burger King is going green is by using more sustainable products.
The effort includes using biodegradable utensils, cups, and food boxes via its “green packaging pilot program.”
For Burger King, this could be a step in the right direction for many environmentally conscious consumers.
To find out more about Burger King, you can also read our related articles on whether or not Burger King onion rings are vegan, where Burger King gets their beef, and if Burger King does breakfast.
