3-21-4

Burger King Nutritional Pamphlet from Henrietta Plaza Burger King, in Henrietta NY.

Burger King Nutritional Pamphlet from Henrietta Plaza Burger King, in Henrietta NY. ( DRINKS enlarged)

from Burger King's website, Nutritional Information....

COCA COLA® CLASSIC

High Fructose Corn Syrup and/or Sucrose, Water, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Natural Ý Flavors, Caffeine. Ý=Natural flavors from plant sources.

DIET COKE®

Water, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Saccharin, Potassium Benzoate (to protect taste), NaturalÝ Flavors, Citric Acid, Caffeine, Potassium Citrate, Aspartame, Dimethylpolysiloxane. ÝNatural flavors from plant sources.

Additional Info:

Cola: may contain ester gums as emulsifer. Ester gum uses glycerol, which can be of animal origin. Coca cola admits that glycerin (could be either animal or vegetarian) is an ingredient.

from http://www.awbi.org/pamp24.htm

I was entering a world without sense, without logic, without reason.....it's the big orange signpost up ahead - your next stop, The Burger King.

It had to happen, sooner or later. Today, I walked through the holy portals of the chain-link-conveyor on-demand sandwich factory, looking for a quick lunch. And received more than I bargained for. What you are about to read is absolutely true. No names were changed to protect the guilty.

As I entered the line with the other sheep, I noticed another signpost up ahead. It was a glossy, black on white NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION pamphlet display. Nothing in my past schooling could have prepared me for this. The ingredients quoted below are taken directly from their free brochure.

I began to read it. How hard could that be? Sure, all the calories for everything (except the "salad") were into three figures. But the question made me continue to fold this pamphlet open..."what is IN all those sandwiches?" The ingredients occupy four panels and are all written in painfully small font. Perhaps 1 point in size. Almost every compound known to man was in there....and then it was my turn at the altar to pronounce my order...

The 'sales associate' said to me, "How are you today sir?" I said, "Quite well, that, is until I read THIS" And I was ill-prepared for what came next when he heard that. He said "How about one of our low-carb sandwiches?"

Thinking about the war on fat, unpleasant views in the mirror we all have everyday, and looking at the small standup full color, closeup photo of this new sandwich, I said "Sure! That sounds great!"

Then he uttered these words to me, as though he expected to hear the answer: "Is it OK, sir, that there isn't any bun with it?" I said "WHAT? HOW do you make a hamburger WITHOUT a bun?" He looked dumbfounded, with no answer in his buffer. Then the flash of insight hit me - I could see myself opening up this "sandwich" and find a PILE of lettuce, tomatos and two pathetic excuses for meat patties in a paper wrapper.

The result of this inspirational flash was immediate and dramatic. In less than one nanosecond, I said "FORGET THAT! GIVE me a REAL hamburger!"

Finally, my turn in the stall came, and my order number was called out. I trundled off to the drink trough over the sticky floor and science experiment to get my drink. Then on to a table. I often read when I eat. My wife hated it when Wendy's had those nice 100 year old newspaper reproductions embedded in the formica. I would just naturally read through lunch.

Today I was alone, alone with my BK chemistry lesson. I started to read...first about the forbidden food of the Gods- "The Bun." "Enriched flour" with all the enrichment ingredients listed. Is this what is used to enrich uranium? Then the water, sugar, yeast, salt and much more, including "natural and artificial butter flavor." Yum yum ! I read on ..."Dough conditioners, dough strengtheners, and incredibly, dough softeners!" I guess they make it tougher to have a reason to soften it.

And then I see a new one- "calcium peroxide (oxidant.) WHAT? Hydrogen peroxide was rocket fuel back in the early days of rocketry ...will these buns give me a way to visit the moon? Perhaps not.

I continue to eat, read and chuckle..."potassium/calcium iodate" and more. The last ingredient is "natural flavor from plant sources." WHAT plants are those sources? You're not allowed to know. And all this shown above occupies a space about about one inch high on one panel.

In the chicken whopper, there is much more from their chemistry set..."Disodium Guanylate" (bat guana derivative?) and disodium inosinate, followed by coloring, chicken flavor, smoke flavor, and including most all the common ones you find in frozen foods in your grocery store. Then it gets better - even though the No. 1 ingredient is boneless chicken breast, the last item listed is "Natural flavors from plant and animal sources." WHAT? Are they telling us there is "other meat" in the chicken besides chicken? And from what source does it come from ?

I won't spoil it all - don't buy the book, go get the pamphlet for free.

Finally, I read about the mysterious Coke Classic contents.

I have never partaken of this chemical cocktail, and now I'm even happier about it. The second-to-last ingredient listed in Coke Classic is caffeine.

The last one is actually "Natural flavors from plant and animal sources."

Do we even want to THINK what part of the animal it comes from? Farmers will tell you that with pigs, "the only part not used is the squeal."

Mad cow in a can, anyone?

And don't forget, "Have it your way !"

Ted

(scans provided by Ted Twietmeyer upon request).

Comment

From David Brandt

3-27-4

Jeff -

So, now we have to wonder about what's in our soft drinks. Honestly, I'd prefer to have a small amount of cocaine in coke than a dose of prions. I attempted to get the animal ingredients from the corporation, explaining that I am a vegan. They respond by claiming it's a secret formula and they never reveal the ingredients. I suggested they should start calling it "prion cola".

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