Burger King Tackles Climate Change, Cow Diets Altered To Offset Environmental Impact

Burger King is making a change to its beef supply in order to offset contributions to climate change. The fast-food giant announced Tuesday that it would be adding lemongrass leaves to the diets of its cows, which could potentially cut methane emissions by 33%.

Methane produced by cows has become a major stumbling block for fast-food chains looking to lure increasingly conscientious young customers. The EPA reports that the farming industry produces nearly 10% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., leading chains like Burger King and McDonald’s to consider what changes they can make.

The new diet will add 100 grams of lemongrass to the daily diets of Burger King’s cows. This specific formulation was devised in collaboration with researchers at the University of California and the Autonomous University at the State of Mexico. Based on their findings, it was concluded that the addition would help cows produce less methane during digestion.

“If the whole industry, from farmers, meat suppliers, and other brands join us, we can increase scale and collectively help reduce methane emissions that affect climate change,” Fernando Machado, global chief marketing officer for Burger King parent company Restaurant Brands International, said in a statement.

To mark the occasion, the chain will be selling a new “Reduced Methane Emissions Beef Whopper” for a limited time. The eco-friendly sandwich will be available at stores in Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Portland and Austin, Texas. The company pulled a similar Whopper stunt in February, releasing a campaign focused on a decaying “moldy Whopper” to mark the chain’s move away from preservatives and artificial ingredients.

In 2018, McDonald’s announced that it would be making changes to its beef production practices in order to cut down on greenhouse gases. The changes, they claimed, would cut emission by 150 million metric tons by 2030.

Consumers have increasingly moved away from traditional fast-food offerings in recent years, at times citing environmental concerns as well as a growing move away from eating meat. In addition to eco-friendly initiatives, McDonald’s and Burger King have also added meatless alternatives to their menus in order to court these consumers back.