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Burger King is big on its slogan, "At BK, you got it," but do you know exactly what you're getting?
Sharon Lamoreaux of Trucksville said she recently felt deceived by the fast-food giant when she was considering trying one of their new menu items at the Shavertown franchise.

Lamoreaux, a vegetarian, said she had heard about the company's new "BK Veggie Burger," that was made a permanent offering as of March 18 and which was being promoted as containing no meat.
She said, at first, she was excited about the new burger because her family likes to dine there on occasion. "I thought, 'That's great, now I can eat something,'" Lamoreaux said.

However, her excitement quickly gave way to skepticism and she decided to call the Shavertown location ahead of time to find out if the burgers were truly vegetarian-friendly.
She said that management there explained the burgers contain no meat, but that they are cooked on the same flame-broiler as the regular hamburgers and chicken sandwiches.

"That means if vegetarians eat these burgers, there is still meat in them because they're being cooked in meat juices," Lamoreaux explained. "Thank God, I didn't eat any, because I would've been very upset."
A representative could not be reached for comment.

Kim Miller, a spokeswoman for Burger King's national headquarters in Miami, Fla., confirmed that preparation methods are the same as for the regular burgers. "There is no way to segregate it on the broiler. It's a very large piece of equipment," she said.

However, Miller argued that the veggie burger was not being marketed to vegans, strict vegetarians who use no products derived from animals.
"We've been diligent about not marketing this as a vegan product, this is a healthier alternative," she said, explaining the veggie burger has a total of 10 grams of fat, but natural butter-flavoring is used in the bun and low-fat mayonnaise, which contains eggs, usually tops it off, both of which could be issues for vegetarians.

The patty, however, prior to cooking, is 100-percent vegetarian and contains vegetables, whole grains and spices, she said.
Lamoreaux also cited previously published reports that questioned BK's strategy in launching the veggie burger two days prior to the 18th anniversary of the "American Meat Out," which urges people to refrain from using animal products on that date.

Miller said the launch date was a "coincidence." "It's not being marketed that way (as a vegetarian product). In every interview, we have raised that issue. It's not a vegan product, but it will accommodate most consumers' dietary needs," she defended.

An alternative method of microwave cooking is being offered for vegetarians, but upon customer request only, Miller said. All chain-operated and franchise restaurants were given specific instructions for preparation, she said.
This didn't satisfy Lamoreaux.

"I'm duped as I walk in," she said, expressing disappointment at the company's promotional methods. "There should be some type of warning that these are cooked in meat sauce. It kind of defeats the purpose for vegetarians. We have the right to know."

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