Where’s the beef by-product? It’s on Burger King’s Impossible Whopper, according to a class-action lawsuit filed by one very hangry vegan customer.
According to reports, Philip Williams filed the suit in the Southern District of Florida Monday, arguing that while the fast-food chain advertises the dish as “a meat-free food option,” it’s actually covered in meat by-product…
…because the Impossible Whopper is cooked on the same grills as the rest of the meat products!
In the docs, Williams claims there are no warnings on the menus to vegan customers that the Impossible Whopper — which is touted as the plant-based alternative to the regular Whopper — is being tainted by these meat-contaminated grills.
Williams feels this is false advertising, and is asking that “all persons injured by Defendant Burger King’s deceptive and unlawful conduct” be awarded “compensatory damages.” The vegan also wants the chain to “plainly disclose” where the meat is cooked.
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In BK’s defense, though, the fast food restaurant doesn’t actually claim the Impossible Whopper is vegan.
The company’s website does describe the plant-based option as “100% Whopper, 0% Beef,” but also notes “guests looking for a meat-free option” should ask for “a non-broiler method of preparation”, which “is available upon request.”
After the launch of the product in August, a rep for Burger King explained to Insider:
“While the Impossible Whopper does not contain meat, it is cooked in the same broiler as our beef and chicken. Guests may ask for the Impossible patty to be prepared in the oven; however, since our restaurants have an open kitchen environment, we don’t label the product as vegan.”
So, yes, unless you specifically ask for special preparation, that burger is gonna have some meat residue on it.
On top of that, the website clearly lists “egg” — an animal by-product not eaten by vegans — under the allergens of the item. So, BK readily admits it’s not a vegan dish… but still, a little more signage wouldn’t kill them!
The customer’s lawsuit was filed after he tried the burger in an Atlanta location. In addition to the false advertising allegations, he accused the chain of charging “premium” prices (one Impossible Whopper costs $5.99, per CNBC) for customers who would like a meat-free option.
Impossibly enough, the people behind the Impossible burger are more interested in enticing meat-eaters as opposed to vegans. Back in September, Impossible Foods CFO David Lee told Business Insider:
“We expect eventually for Impossible to become the new normal. Generations from now will look up at their grandmas and say, ‘I can’t believe you used to eat meat from an animal. How barbaric, how unnecessary.’”
Have YOU tried the Impossible Whopper yet, Perezcious readers?
(And would it being cooked on the meaty grill be a deal breaker for you??)
[Image via Burger King/YouTube]
