Burger King's Fine Print Won't Please Vegetarians

The much-ballyhooed Impossible Whopper is now available at Burger Kings nationwide, but Inc.com notes that vegetarians will want to read the fine print. Yes, the burger is a meatless alternative to the regular Whopper, and one that reportedly tastes much the same, but it comes with an asterisk from Burger King. "Flame-grilled in the same broiler used for beef and chicken," reads the note. For many vegans and vegetarians, that will be enough to disqualify it as a meal option, because the Impossible Whopper will surely pick up bits of beef and poultry during cooking.

In fairness, "Burger King never actually claimed this concoction was vegan or vegetarian, but when people get over-excited what can you do?" writes Chris Matyszczyk. The disclaimer, he adds, has led to plenty of criticism online. Meanwhile, Today notes that despite the hype, the Impossible Whopper should not exactly be considered health food. It's got about the same number of calories (630) as the original (660), and even more sodium and carbs. "Having the occasional plant-based burger is fine for anyone, but don't kid yourself into thinking that it’s any better for you than a meat-based burger," says one dietitian. It might, however, be better for the planet, according to a new UN report on plant-based diets cited at Nature. (More Burger King stories.)