Burger King Corp. is highlighting its ban on 120 artificial ingredients with a trio of celebrity-backed meals, all using their actual rather than their stage names.
Brazilian singer Anitta, American performer Lil Huddy and rapper Nelly all get their own “Keep It Real Meals” combo deals starting Sept. 12, the division of Restaurant Brands International Inc. said Thursday.
The Real Meals use the performers’ real names:
- Anitta gets the Larissa Machado Meal, which includes the Impossible Whopper with lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup and mustard, small fries and a small Sprite.
- Lil Huddy is behind the Chase Hudson Meal, which features breaded Spicy Ch’King with cheese, four-piece mozzarella sticks and a 16-ounce chocolate shake.
- Nelly touts the Cornell Haynes Jr Meal, which is a Whopper with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mayonnaise and ketchup, small fries and a small Sprite.
Customers signing up for Burger King’s new “Royal Perks” loyalty program, which was introduced last week, can get the three meals for $6 each when using the app-based platform.
“We know our guests’ expectations are changing, and they want to make choices they can feel good about,” said Ellie Doty, chief marketing officer for Burger King North America, said in a statement.
“By banning these 120 ingredients from our food, we’re offering guests an easy choice – delicious food made with quality ingredients,” she said. “We’re confident that our ongoing commitment to real food will not only provide guests with the food they’re looking for, but also set a standard for the industry overall.”
Doty, through a spokesperson, said Burger King has already barred 120 artificial ingredients and more are expected.
“Part of this change is through our sauces and condiments,” Doty said. “As an example, we’ve switched to Simply Heinz Ketchup and removed preservatives from our mayonnaise, and it’s also core menu item ingredients like American Cheese. That was one of the more challenging items, but our team worked diligently to remove all colors, flavors and preservatives from artificial sources.”
Burger King, founded in 1954, has more than 18,700 locations in more than 100 countries and U.S. territories.
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