Kompas.com - Sebagai Kota Gudeg, Yogyakarta memiliki banyak pilihan gerai gudeg yang melegenda. Sebut saja Gudeg Yu Djum, Gudeg Pawon, Gudeg Permata, hingga Gudeg Djumilan.
Showing posts with label Food and Beverage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food and Beverage. Show all posts
Aug 16, 2017
Jul 25, 2017
Texas Coffee Recalled Because It Has an Ingredient Similar to Viagra
Time.com - A coffee company in North Texas has been giving its customers more than their normal boost of energy. Bestherbs Coffee LLC is now voluntarily recalling its “New of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Herbs Coffee” because it contains an ingredient similar to Viagra, the FDA says.
Jun 26, 2017
Jan 31, 2015
Not Lovin' It: McDonald's Set For Menu Revamp
Sky.com - We haven't been lovin' it - and now McDonald's is planning drastic changes to try and tempt back customers.
The fast food chain reported falling earnings and sales for a fourth consecutive month on Friday.
Its answer? Customised burgers and sandwiches, among other changes, to try and compete with rivals such as Chipotle and Subway.
There will be more local menu choices and customers could soon be able to order with mobile devices.
As well as changes to its menu, the chain plans to slow down new restaurant openings in some markets.
However, McDonald's expects sales to remain weak while it deals with the fallout from a food safety scandal in China, global economic uncertainty and shifting tastes.
CEO Don Thompson said: "January comparable sales are expected to be negative and results are expected to remain pressured, particularly in the first half of the year."
Fourth-quarter net income dropped 21% to $1.1bn (£732m), while revenue fell more than 7% to $6.57bn (£4.3bn).
Global sales at established restaurants were down 0.9%.
McDonald's has 36,000 restaurants worldwide. It will open 1,000 more this year - down from 1,300 in 2014.
The fast food chain reported falling earnings and sales for a fourth consecutive month on Friday.
Its answer? Customised burgers and sandwiches, among other changes, to try and compete with rivals such as Chipotle and Subway.
There will be more local menu choices and customers could soon be able to order with mobile devices.
As well as changes to its menu, the chain plans to slow down new restaurant openings in some markets.
However, McDonald's expects sales to remain weak while it deals with the fallout from a food safety scandal in China, global economic uncertainty and shifting tastes.
CEO Don Thompson said: "January comparable sales are expected to be negative and results are expected to remain pressured, particularly in the first half of the year."
Fourth-quarter net income dropped 21% to $1.1bn (£732m), while revenue fell more than 7% to $6.57bn (£4.3bn).
Global sales at established restaurants were down 0.9%.
McDonald's has 36,000 restaurants worldwide. It will open 1,000 more this year - down from 1,300 in 2014.
Oct 29, 2014
KFC goes even bigger on its updated Double Down sandwich
Foxnews.com - Craving fried chicken, a hamburger and bacon at the same time?
KFC recently introduced the KFC Zinger Double Down that gives you all the tastes in one bite.
The Zinger Double Down King is a hamburger topped with bacon, barbecue sauce and "pepper dressing" sandwiched between two pieces of crispy fried chicken, sans the bun.
This monstrosity builds on the fast food chain’s 2010 Double Down success --a cheese and bacon (no burger) sandwich also between two slabs of fried chicken.
According to the KFC website, the Zinger Double Down costs about $6 and has 750 calories.
For now, you’ll have to travel to South Korea for a taste, but it just might be worth the trip.
KFC recently introduced the KFC Zinger Double Down that gives you all the tastes in one bite.
The Zinger Double Down King is a hamburger topped with bacon, barbecue sauce and "pepper dressing" sandwiched between two pieces of crispy fried chicken, sans the bun.
This monstrosity builds on the fast food chain’s 2010 Double Down success --a cheese and bacon (no burger) sandwich also between two slabs of fried chicken.
According to the KFC website, the Zinger Double Down costs about $6 and has 750 calories.
For now, you’ll have to travel to South Korea for a taste, but it just might be worth the trip.
Oct 11, 2014
Will new McDonald's burgers cost $10?
Foxnews.com - People want better burgers.
And McDonald’s is responding to the rally cry for fast casual food by rolling out premium toppings at several Australia locations.
“McDonald’s is innovating and changing again to meet the needs of our customers,” Andrew Gregory, McDonald’s Australia CEO, told news.com.au. “What we’re really doing here is simply what our customers have asked us to do.”
The new system called “Create Your Taste” allows diners to construct customized burgers with toppings beyond lettuce and tomatoes. Diners order meals through an iPad like touch screen which minimizes error from human interaction. From there, choose toppings like eggs, grilled mushrooms and pineapple, and even guacamole. Diners can even choose between different buns and a variety of spices.
Most add-ons are free but some cost up to $1 AU each, meaning your premium built McDonald’s burger could easily $8 or more in the near future. Add fries and a drink and you’re pushing $10.
McDonald’s plans to expand its premium ordering system to all 900 Australia restaurants.
Australians may be lovin’ it but will Americans?
McDonald's has been testing a similar "Create Your Taste" test in Southern California locations. Choices include the every popular South-of-the-Border favorite guacamole for $.89. No word yet on when or if the mega-chain plans to expand its premium offerings eastward.
Is America ready for pricier McDonald's burgers?
“McDonald’s is innovating and changing again to meet the needs of our customers,” Andrew Gregory, McDonald’s Australia CEO, told news.com.au. “What we’re really doing here is simply what our customers have asked us to do.”
The new system called “Create Your Taste” allows diners to construct customized burgers with toppings beyond lettuce and tomatoes. Diners order meals through an iPad like touch screen which minimizes error from human interaction. From there, choose toppings like eggs, grilled mushrooms and pineapple, and even guacamole. Diners can even choose between different buns and a variety of spices.
Most add-ons are free but some cost up to $1 AU each, meaning your premium built McDonald’s burger could easily $8 or more in the near future. Add fries and a drink and you’re pushing $10.
McDonald’s plans to expand its premium ordering system to all 900 Australia restaurants.
Australians may be lovin’ it but will Americans?
McDonald's has been testing a similar "Create Your Taste" test in Southern California locations. Choices include the every popular South-of-the-Border favorite guacamole for $.89. No word yet on when or if the mega-chain plans to expand its premium offerings eastward.
Is America ready for pricier McDonald's burgers?
Aug 27, 2014
Aug 25, 2014
Perdue issues major recall of 15,000 chicken nuggets
Foxnews.com - With the recent tainted meat scare in McDonald’s across China and Hong Kong, this summer has not been kind to the chicken nugget.
Now Gainesville-based chicken purveyor Perdue has issued a recall of more than15,000 pounds of "frozen chicken nugget product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials,” according to a statement issued by the USDA. That foreign matter may have included small pieces of plastic that were found by numerous consumers in the months leading up to the recall.
The exact product in question is the 8-oz. box of “APPLEGATE naturals CHICKEN NUGGETS.”
Consumers are advised to stay away from the affected products produced in February of this year with a sell by date of Feb. 5, 2015, marked USDA inspection number of P2617. At the time of recall issue, no reports of injury or illness had been reported in association with the contaminated nuggets but customers are advised to return any packages to the original store of purchase.
Applegate did withdraw the affected boxes from store shelves on Aug. 8. but consumers may still posses boxes of the frozen nuggets.
Now Gainesville-based chicken purveyor Perdue has issued a recall of more than15,000 pounds of "frozen chicken nugget product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials,” according to a statement issued by the USDA. That foreign matter may have included small pieces of plastic that were found by numerous consumers in the months leading up to the recall.
The exact product in question is the 8-oz. box of “APPLEGATE naturals CHICKEN NUGGETS.”
Consumers are advised to stay away from the affected products produced in February of this year with a sell by date of Feb. 5, 2015, marked USDA inspection number of P2617. At the time of recall issue, no reports of injury or illness had been reported in association with the contaminated nuggets but customers are advised to return any packages to the original store of purchase.
Applegate did withdraw the affected boxes from store shelves on Aug. 8. but consumers may still posses boxes of the frozen nuggets.
Jul 31, 2014
McDonald’s rolls out tofu McNuggets amid meat controversy
Foxnews.com - McDonald’s Japan is rolling out a brand new chicken-free nugget amid the recent controversy surrounding a U.S. owned Chinese food supplier charged with selling expired meat.
Introducing the Tofu Shinjo Nugget- a deep fried patty made with onions, soybeans, and carrots, according to the Wall Street Journal. These protein packed patties also contain fish paste so they are not free of animal byproducts.
Since ketchup and tofu aren’t exactly a proven pairing, the new nuggets will be served with a ginger-flavored sauce.
“Because it isn’t meat, it tastes a bit different. It’s a bit softer,” the spokeswoman from McDonald’s Japan told the Journal. “Calorie-wise, it is a bit lower than chicken as well.”
If these veggie-patty nuggets seem like your thing, get to a McDonald’s Japan soon- they will only be in restaurants from now until September. A box of four nuggets retails for ¥249 ($2.44).
Tainted nuggets aren’t the only new issue facing McDonald’s overseas.
In Russia, the American burger chain has been slapped with a lawsuit by food regulators in the city of Novgorod, where inspectors alleged that the company misrepresented the fat content and nutritional values of various menu items including its cheeseburgers and shakes, reports the LA Times.
On Monday, a national investigation was launched by food safety agency Rosselkhoznadzor into the possibility of illegal antibiotic-tainted cheese products being used at any of the 430 Russian franchises.
Should any restaurant location be found in violation, they would face the possibility of immediate closure.
Despite allegations, McDonald's said that is has not received any complaints about the quality of its food, and that all nutritional information had been calculated according to standards set by the government.
The Russian problems come amid strained U.S.-Kremlin relations that have seen a ban on American adoptions of Russian children last year, and a decision by fast food chain Wendy’s to leave the Russian market altogether, according to the LA Times.
Introducing the Tofu Shinjo Nugget- a deep fried patty made with onions, soybeans, and carrots, according to the Wall Street Journal. These protein packed patties also contain fish paste so they are not free of animal byproducts.
Since ketchup and tofu aren’t exactly a proven pairing, the new nuggets will be served with a ginger-flavored sauce.
“Because it isn’t meat, it tastes a bit different. It’s a bit softer,” the spokeswoman from McDonald’s Japan told the Journal. “Calorie-wise, it is a bit lower than chicken as well.”
If these veggie-patty nuggets seem like your thing, get to a McDonald’s Japan soon- they will only be in restaurants from now until September. A box of four nuggets retails for ¥249 ($2.44).
Tainted nuggets aren’t the only new issue facing McDonald’s overseas.
In Russia, the American burger chain has been slapped with a lawsuit by food regulators in the city of Novgorod, where inspectors alleged that the company misrepresented the fat content and nutritional values of various menu items including its cheeseburgers and shakes, reports the LA Times.
On Monday, a national investigation was launched by food safety agency Rosselkhoznadzor into the possibility of illegal antibiotic-tainted cheese products being used at any of the 430 Russian franchises.
Should any restaurant location be found in violation, they would face the possibility of immediate closure.
Despite allegations, McDonald's said that is has not received any complaints about the quality of its food, and that all nutritional information had been calculated according to standards set by the government.
The Russian problems come amid strained U.S.-Kremlin relations that have seen a ban on American adoptions of Russian children last year, and a decision by fast food chain Wendy’s to leave the Russian market altogether, according to the LA Times.
Jun 17, 2014
New green Coca-Cola ‘Life’ to make its European debut
The lower calorie soda sweetened with sugar and “naturally sourced” stevia leaf extract will hit retail shelves in Great Britain starting this September.
The cola, which was first introduced to Argentina and Chile in 2013, contains a third less sugar and a third fewer calories than traditional Coca-Cola. A 330-ml can of Coca-Cola Life has 89 calories. A 12 oz can of Coca-Cola Classic is 141 calories and contains 39 grams of sugar.
“With Coca-Cola Life, we have innovated to provide consumers with a new option with fewer calories,” James Quincey, president, Coca-Cola Europe, stated in a recent press release. “It complements our existing brands and is well-positioned to meet changing lifestyle trends, providing people with a great-tasting, lower calorie cola sweetened from natural sources.”
Sweeteners made with stevia, a plant native to Paraguay, are calorie free and can be up to 200 times sweeter than regular sugar.
The launch of Coca-Cola Life is the latest in a series of initiatives from Coke to address rising obesity rates in the U.K. while promoting active lifestyles. Coca-Cola Life will be available in a variety of recyclable packaging with a signature green label.
While no U.S. release for Coca-Cola Life has been announced, Coca-Cola said it is exploring the potential roll-out of its naturally sweetened soda in other markets.
Jun 5, 2014
Burger King rolls out Extra Long Cheeseburger
Foxnews.com - Looks like big is back for the summer at Burger King.
Just after rolling out its brand new double stacked Chicken Big King, the burger chain has introduced an Extra Long BBQ Cheeseburger.
The summer special features two beef patties placed side-by-side on a toasted hoagie roll with American cheese, deep friend onion rings—all slathered in barbecue sauce. The burger clocks in at 590 calories, which is actually less than the chain’s famous Whopper which has 650 calories.
The Extra Long Cheeseburger is $3.59- but if you just can’t get enough, the sandwich is also on the restaurant’s two-for-$5 menu.
Just after rolling out its brand new double stacked Chicken Big King, the burger chain has introduced an Extra Long BBQ Cheeseburger.
The summer special features two beef patties placed side-by-side on a toasted hoagie roll with American cheese, deep friend onion rings—all slathered in barbecue sauce. The burger clocks in at 590 calories, which is actually less than the chain’s famous Whopper which has 650 calories.
The Extra Long Cheeseburger is $3.59- but if you just can’t get enough, the sandwich is also on the restaurant’s two-for-$5 menu.
May 20, 2014
McDonald's is testing new seasoned french fries called Shakin’ Flavor Fries
Foxnews.com - McDonald’s says it plans to start testing seasoned french fries at select U.S. locations starting today.
The world’s biggest hamburger chain says the test of its ‘‘Shakin’ Flavor Fries’’ will take place at restaurants in northern California and St. Louis. Customers will be able to choose garlic Parmesan, spicy Buffalo or zesty ranch flavors.
McDonald’s spokeswoman Lisa McComb says the idea came from the company’s ‘‘Shake Shake’’ seasoned fries, which debuted in Hong Kong in 2005 before spreading to countries including China, India and Australia.
The website GrubGrade.com had published photos of the seasoned fries at a McDonald’s in Stockton, California, on Thursday. The packaging includes directions telling people how to pour the seasoning onto french fries in a bag and shake them.
‘‘As with all tests, we aren’t in a position to draw conclusions or make assumptions about the test since it is just beginning but we hope our customers in these two markets enjoy the new flavors,’’ McComb said in an email.
McDonald's, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, has more than 35,000 locations around the world.
The world’s biggest hamburger chain says the test of its ‘‘Shakin’ Flavor Fries’’ will take place at restaurants in northern California and St. Louis. Customers will be able to choose garlic Parmesan, spicy Buffalo or zesty ranch flavors.
McDonald’s spokeswoman Lisa McComb says the idea came from the company’s ‘‘Shake Shake’’ seasoned fries, which debuted in Hong Kong in 2005 before spreading to countries including China, India and Australia.
The website GrubGrade.com had published photos of the seasoned fries at a McDonald’s in Stockton, California, on Thursday. The packaging includes directions telling people how to pour the seasoning onto french fries in a bag and shake them.
‘‘As with all tests, we aren’t in a position to draw conclusions or make assumptions about the test since it is just beginning but we hope our customers in these two markets enjoy the new flavors,’’ McComb said in an email.
McDonald's, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, has more than 35,000 locations around the world.
Apr 30, 2014
Brazil's Osama Bin Laden-themed bars
Telegraph.co.uk - With Sao Paulo hosting England’s second match at this summer’s World Cup, travelling fans are being alerted to an unmissable photo opportunity – themselves sinking a pre-game pint in the company of Osama Bin Laden.
The presence of a Bin Laden-themed bar – complete with lookalike owner – has caught the attention of online scribes this week, ahead of the big tournament in Brazil.
It is found in the city’s Anhangabau district, also the site of an official fan zone with big screens, and could become a popular detour for those supporters making the trip.
Landlord Ceará Francisco Helder Braga Fernandes became aware of his resemblance to the now deceased Bin Laden in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and rather than shying away from the comparison, he embraced it, renaming his establishment Bar do Bin Laden and even appearing on Brazilian television.
According to Andrew Creelman, a Briton who writes the blog ‘What about Sao Paulo?’, it is a popular venue with fans of rock music, with bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin regularly heard blaring from within.
“Adorning the walls are at least a hundred pictures of Francisco in his Bin Laden attire, smiling alongside patrons of the bar,” he added, some of which can be found on its Tumblr page. More images can be found on FourSquare, and Francisco also has a presence on YouTube (see video above).
The presence of a Bin Laden-themed bar – complete with lookalike owner – has caught the attention of online scribes this week, ahead of the big tournament in Brazil.
It is found in the city’s Anhangabau district, also the site of an official fan zone with big screens, and could become a popular detour for those supporters making the trip.
Landlord Ceará Francisco Helder Braga Fernandes became aware of his resemblance to the now deceased Bin Laden in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and rather than shying away from the comparison, he embraced it, renaming his establishment Bar do Bin Laden and even appearing on Brazilian television.
According to Andrew Creelman, a Briton who writes the blog ‘What about Sao Paulo?’, it is a popular venue with fans of rock music, with bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin regularly heard blaring from within.
“Adorning the walls are at least a hundred pictures of Francisco in his Bin Laden attire, smiling alongside patrons of the bar,” he added, some of which can be found on its Tumblr page. More images can be found on FourSquare, and Francisco also has a presence on YouTube (see video above).
Creelman said: “It’s interesting because in Brazil, which has not really witnessed terrorism, they see Bin Laden as a funny kind of character rather than someone who is offensive, whereas in England and in the US, we have both experienced terrorism firsthand, so we take [the bar’s theme] differently.”
“I’m not gonna lie; the pride this guy has about being a Bin Laden lookalike is pretty unsettling. Interestingly, he is on every picture on the wall except one. Wanna know who that picture is of? Well if you guessed Jesus Christ, you’d be absolutely right! I left there feeling pretty confused!”
And it’s not a one-off. The website Fusion.net points out that a second Bin Laden-themed bar – Caverna do Bin Laden, or “Bin Laden’s Cave” – can be found just in Niteroi, around 25 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro. It is also on FourSquare.
Apr 12, 2014
Why Are a Group of Indonesian Journalists Boycotting Starbucks?
Vice.com - The growing popularity of big American brands in Jakarta is undeniable. However, a group of journalists are boycotting some of the very biggest.
Why? Because they believe many of these brands, including Starbucks, are owned by one of the most corrupt, greedy, and filthy rich businessmen that Indonesia has ever produced.
Why? Because they believe many of these brands, including Starbucks, are owned by one of the most corrupt, greedy, and filthy rich businessmen that Indonesia has ever produced.
Business tycoon Syjamsul Nursalim embezzled over $607 million U.S. from his own bank, BDNI, during the chaos inflicted by the 1997 Asian financial crisis and subsequent Jakarta riots. After channeling the cash to offshore accounts, BDNI customers made a run on their accounts. Nursalim then convinced the state bank to bail out his flailing business to the tune of over $2.5 billion.
He was indicted and imprisoned in April 2001 by Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office, but oddly Nursalim was granted medical leave to go to Japan for treatment shortly after. Guess what? He didn't come back.
It's not clear why the Attorney General’s Office stopped chasing Nursalim in 2004, although having friends in high places probably had something to do with it.
Now, with an estimated personal wealth of over $950 million, Nursalim resides comfortably in Singapore while 100 million Indonesians scrape by on $2 dollars a day or less (not even enough for a small Starbucks latte). The brands he owns under his primary company and biggest lifestyle retailer in Indonesia, Mitra Adiperkasa (MAP), include Starbucks, Burger King and Zara among many others.
Jakarta has more malls than any other city in the world, and in order to compete, they need the big brands. Such is MAP’s domination that they can demand whatever fee they want from new malls.
While many latte-sipping Indonesians are unaware of Nursalim’s involvement (or simply choose to ignore an inconvenient truth—some people do actually LIKE the taste of Starbucks coffee), the green and white giant cannot plead the same ignorance. Insider sources have since confirmed to VICE that Starbucks knew full well about Nursalim’s underhand activities before they formed their incredibly profitable partnership.
But not everyone is willing to support the relentless lining of Nursalim’s bulging pockets. Bambang Harymurti, CEO of one of Indonesia’s oldest news organisations, renowned upholder of the free press and qualified astronaut, is leading the charge. Bambang, who likes his coffee strong and tasty, continues to pass the truth about Nursalim (and other such cronies) onto his young generation of journalists in an attempt to make them more socially conscious. He, and many of his staff, now boycott Starbucks and the other brands of Nursalim to make an example of those Indonesians who have benefited while others have suffered.
“Those of us who are privileged enough to have jobs, and the ability to buy consumer products, should be standing up for those who have been thrown into poverty by people like Nursalim,” he said. “My main focus is to get the truth out about the way these people make their money, but in the meantime I'm more than happy to drink local coffee.”
After the near-collapse of Indonesia’s economy in 1997, GDP per capita fell over 15 percent while 51 million new poor people emerged (i.e. those living on less than $2 per day).
In an election year for the world’s third biggest democracy, journalists like Bambang are optimistic that Indonesians will take greater effort to scrutinise not only the coffee they are drinking but also the presidential candidates, many of whom have shady backgrounds of corruption and even human rights abuses.
Hopefully they will forgo the Starbucks-equivalent candidate (nice packaging but that's about it) and opt for a more honest and independent brand of politician to avoid a frothy disappointment.
Mar 28, 2014
Mar 20, 2014
The surprising health benefits of beer
Foxnes.com - If you’re got party plans this weekend, don’t be afraid to knock back a cold one. Beer has several surprising health benefits.
Despite beer’s bad reputation, it actually has a number of natural antioxidants and vitamins that can help prevent heart disease and even rebuild muscle. It also has one of the highest energy contents of any food or drink. Of course, this means you need to set limits – one beer gets you going, four makes you fat.
If you’re worried about dehydration, keep in mind that beer is 93 percent water. Also, according to a Spanish study, beer may actually provide better hydration than H2O alone when you’re sweating it out under the sun.
So with all of this in mind, which kind of beer should you reach for? Calorie-wise, you may be tempted to grab a light lager, but for health benefits, a dark beer is the better choice.
Dark beers tend to have the most antioxidants, which help reverse cellular damage that occurs naturally in the body. A recent study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture has also found that dark beer has higher iron content compared to lighter beers.
Remember, iron is an essential mineral that our bodies need. Iron is a part of all cells and does many jobs including carrying oxygen from our lungs throughout the rest of our bodies.
Another good choice is microbrews, which are healthier than mass-produced cans, because they have more hops. Hops contain polyphenols, which help lower cholesterol, fight cancer and kill viruses.
Just remember the golden rule: Everything in moderation. You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of your friends by drinking too much, and you certainly don’t want to put yourself at risk for any long-term health effects like liver problems, kidney diseases and heart disease.
Despite beer’s bad reputation, it actually has a number of natural antioxidants and vitamins that can help prevent heart disease and even rebuild muscle. It also has one of the highest energy contents of any food or drink. Of course, this means you need to set limits – one beer gets you going, four makes you fat.
If you’re worried about dehydration, keep in mind that beer is 93 percent water. Also, according to a Spanish study, beer may actually provide better hydration than H2O alone when you’re sweating it out under the sun.
So with all of this in mind, which kind of beer should you reach for? Calorie-wise, you may be tempted to grab a light lager, but for health benefits, a dark beer is the better choice.
Dark beers tend to have the most antioxidants, which help reverse cellular damage that occurs naturally in the body. A recent study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture has also found that dark beer has higher iron content compared to lighter beers.
Remember, iron is an essential mineral that our bodies need. Iron is a part of all cells and does many jobs including carrying oxygen from our lungs throughout the rest of our bodies.
Another good choice is microbrews, which are healthier than mass-produced cans, because they have more hops. Hops contain polyphenols, which help lower cholesterol, fight cancer and kill viruses.
Just remember the golden rule: Everything in moderation. You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of your friends by drinking too much, and you certainly don’t want to put yourself at risk for any long-term health effects like liver problems, kidney diseases and heart disease.
Feb 12, 2014
Burger King beefs up Big King, tops Big Mac
Usatoday.com - Burger King's found a new way to pull McDonald's chain.
The No. 2 burger chain has just made its new Big King burger bigger than the Big Mac. And on Monday evening, it will start bragging about that in advertising.
The move comes three months after Burger King rolled out its Big Mac-buster, dubbed Big King. The enlarged Big King beef will weigh in (uncooked) at 4 ounces, vs. 3.2 ounces for the beef on the iconic McDonald's burger that it mimicked, the Big Mac.
In the past year, Burger King has been on a new product tear — including several specifically devised so that the increasingly competitive chain could thumb its nose at McDonald's. In the past year, it also rolled out a Rib Sandwich to compete with the McDonald's McRib sandwich. And it rolled out Satisfries, a new version of its french fries with fewer calories.
It's very rare for a chain to increase the size of a core product and not increase price. But the Big King, made with two beef patties, lettuce, onions and sauce on a three-layer sesame seed bun, will still sell for $3.69. It's also currently part of a two-for-$5 promo.
"At Burger King, we know that size matters," says Alex Macedo, president of Burger King North America, in a phone interview. "This allows us to give even more value."
At least one industry consultant thinks that Burger King could be on to something — so long as it ultimately moves beyond mimicking McDonald's products. "It will drive some business," says Dennis Lombardi, executive vice president of food service strategies at WD Partners, a restaurant consulting firm. "Singles and bunts aren't so bad in our business."
But Burger King's Macedo says this is much more than a bunt. He says Burger King plans to expand its Big King platform with more innovation, though he declined to be specific. "We're testing a lot of things," he says.
When it recently tested the newly enlarged Big King burger at 200 restaurants in South Florida, guest satisfaction scores jumped more than 10%, he says. "Increasing the amount of beef makes a big difference."
The No. 2 burger chain has just made its new Big King burger bigger than the Big Mac. And on Monday evening, it will start bragging about that in advertising.
The move comes three months after Burger King rolled out its Big Mac-buster, dubbed Big King. The enlarged Big King beef will weigh in (uncooked) at 4 ounces, vs. 3.2 ounces for the beef on the iconic McDonald's burger that it mimicked, the Big Mac.
In the past year, Burger King has been on a new product tear — including several specifically devised so that the increasingly competitive chain could thumb its nose at McDonald's. In the past year, it also rolled out a Rib Sandwich to compete with the McDonald's McRib sandwich. And it rolled out Satisfries, a new version of its french fries with fewer calories.
It's very rare for a chain to increase the size of a core product and not increase price. But the Big King, made with two beef patties, lettuce, onions and sauce on a three-layer sesame seed bun, will still sell for $3.69. It's also currently part of a two-for-$5 promo.
"At Burger King, we know that size matters," says Alex Macedo, president of Burger King North America, in a phone interview. "This allows us to give even more value."
At least one industry consultant thinks that Burger King could be on to something — so long as it ultimately moves beyond mimicking McDonald's products. "It will drive some business," says Dennis Lombardi, executive vice president of food service strategies at WD Partners, a restaurant consulting firm. "Singles and bunts aren't so bad in our business."
But Burger King's Macedo says this is much more than a bunt. He says Burger King plans to expand its Big King platform with more innovation, though he declined to be specific. "We're testing a lot of things," he says.
When it recently tested the newly enlarged Big King burger at 200 restaurants in South Florida, guest satisfaction scores jumped more than 10%, he says. "Increasing the amount of beef makes a big difference."
Executives at McDonald's declined to comment on Big King. But, spokeswoman Lisa McComb did note, "the Big Mac remains a beloved iconic menu item at McDonald's."
Big King's big differentiator from the Big Mac: fire-grilling. That's what Burger King will continue to stress in its advertising. But it's going up against the Holy Grail of burgers. Since it went national in 1968, the Big Mac is widely viewed as one of the most successful burgers in fast-food history. Even at the risk of converting some of its current Whopper customers into Big King fans, Burger King continues to heavily push its new burger.
But McDonald's is hardly ignoring the competition. While there are no national promotions for Big Mac at the moment, in some regional markets, the burger giant has recently offered special deals in which customers get a second Big Mac for 1 cent when they purchase one at the regular price.
Big King's big differentiator from the Big Mac: fire-grilling. That's what Burger King will continue to stress in its advertising. But it's going up against the Holy Grail of burgers. Since it went national in 1968, the Big Mac is widely viewed as one of the most successful burgers in fast-food history. Even at the risk of converting some of its current Whopper customers into Big King fans, Burger King continues to heavily push its new burger.
But McDonald's is hardly ignoring the competition. While there are no national promotions for Big Mac at the moment, in some regional markets, the burger giant has recently offered special deals in which customers get a second Big Mac for 1 cent when they purchase one at the regular price.
Jan 28, 2014
Pepsi One contains high levels of potential carcinogen, Consumer Reports reveals
Foxnews.com - Recent testing by Consumer Reports has revealed that cans of Pepsi One may contain high levels of a potential carcinogen called d 4-methylimidazole (4-MeI).
Under Proposition 65, the state of California mandates that any food or beverage that exposes people to more than 29 micrograms of 4-MeI per day must carry a health warning on its packaging.
Knowing that 4-MeI is often used in the artificial caramel coloring that gives soda its brown hue, Consumer Reports tested 81 cans and bottles of popular soft drinks purchased in New York and California between April and September 2013. The researchers then retested any brands that initially tested as containing over 29 micrograms of 4-MeI per can or bottle.
Both rounds of testing revealed that Pepsi One and another soft drink called Malta Goya contained more than 29 grams of 4-MeI per can or bottle.
Testing also showed that Coke, Diet Coke and Coke Zero contained less than 5 micrograms of 4-MeI, which Consumer Reports considered acceptable. Additionally, Sprite showed no significant levels of the chemical.
When asked to comment, PepsiCo told Consumer Reports that California’s Proposition 65 requirement is based on exposure to 4-MeI per day – not per can. PepsiCo also cited data stating that most consumers drink less than a third of a 12-ounce can of soda per day.
“For that reason, they believe that Pepsi One does not require cancer-risk warning labels—even if the amount of 4-MeI in a single can exceeds 29 micrograms,” Consumer Reports said.
Consumer Reports has alerted the California Attorney General’s office of its findings. The organization also plans to petition the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging them to set federal standards for exposure to 4-MeI and to require manufacturers to list the type of artificial coloring used on their packaging.
According to Consumer Reports, the FDA has said it doesn’t believe current levels of 4-MeI from caramel coloring in food are a risk, but they are conducting their own testing.
Under Proposition 65, the state of California mandates that any food or beverage that exposes people to more than 29 micrograms of 4-MeI per day must carry a health warning on its packaging.
Knowing that 4-MeI is often used in the artificial caramel coloring that gives soda its brown hue, Consumer Reports tested 81 cans and bottles of popular soft drinks purchased in New York and California between April and September 2013. The researchers then retested any brands that initially tested as containing over 29 micrograms of 4-MeI per can or bottle.
Both rounds of testing revealed that Pepsi One and another soft drink called Malta Goya contained more than 29 grams of 4-MeI per can or bottle.
Testing also showed that Coke, Diet Coke and Coke Zero contained less than 5 micrograms of 4-MeI, which Consumer Reports considered acceptable. Additionally, Sprite showed no significant levels of the chemical.
When asked to comment, PepsiCo told Consumer Reports that California’s Proposition 65 requirement is based on exposure to 4-MeI per day – not per can. PepsiCo also cited data stating that most consumers drink less than a third of a 12-ounce can of soda per day.
“For that reason, they believe that Pepsi One does not require cancer-risk warning labels—even if the amount of 4-MeI in a single can exceeds 29 micrograms,” Consumer Reports said.
Consumer Reports has alerted the California Attorney General’s office of its findings. The organization also plans to petition the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging them to set federal standards for exposure to 4-MeI and to require manufacturers to list the type of artificial coloring used on their packaging.
According to Consumer Reports, the FDA has said it doesn’t believe current levels of 4-MeI from caramel coloring in food are a risk, but they are conducting their own testing.
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