McDonald's India has rolled out a new menu option featuring burgers made with multi-millet buns, enhancing the nutritional quality of their offerings. This innovation, created in collaboration with CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), introduces five types of millets—Bajra, Ragi, Jowar, Proso, and Kodo—into the buns, making the burgers a healthier choice for consumers.
The multi-millet burgers are now available at all 400 McDonald's outlets in West and South India for an additional cost of Rs 10. This marks the first time a quick service restaurant (QSR) in India has introduced such a health-focused menu item, combining traditional ingredients with modern food technology.
Akshay Jatia, Executive Director of McDonald's India, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating that it not only boosts the nutritional value of their food but also positions McDonald's as a leader in offering healthier options in the QSR industry.
The multi-millet buns are the result of a partnership between McDonald's India and CSIR-CFTRI, a premier food technology research institute under the Ministry of Science & Technology. The collaboration aims to combine McDonald’s operational expertise with CFTRI’s cutting-edge research to deliver a product that delights the palate while providing added health benefits.
According to Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director of CSIR-CFTRI, this partnership is a significant step toward developing menu items that not only taste good but also offer enhanced nutritional value. She believes that this collaboration is paving the way for a new era in the food industry.
McDonald's India is sourcing the millets directly from over 5,000 farmers across seven states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. This farm-to-fork model ensures that the ingredients are of the highest quality, certified by CFTRI, and processed by trusted food suppliers before reaching McDonald's restaurants.
This long-term partnership between McDonald's India and CSIR-CFTRI is expected to explore further avenues in nutritional innovation, with a focus on blending traditional ingredients like millet with modern food science.
Westlife Foodworld, the franchisee operating McDonald's in West and South India, manages the QSR chain through its subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Ltd (HRPL). As of June 30, 2024, the company operates 403 McDonald's outlets in these regions.
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