Veggie options at quick-service restaurant chains: an update on menu items at popular fast food and quick casual restaurant chains

Concerning the dessert items at Subway, Kovachi reports that the natural flavorings for the cookies are "plant derived unless specified as 'butter flavoring.' Then, it is derived from butter." All of the cookies contain both eggs and dairy.

Subway offers a number of fruit-based beverages that are free of animal ingredients, although they do contain sugar.

Subway is a popular restaurant chain in Canada. Subway's Guide to Canadian Product Ingredients is available on its website, along with those of other countries. On the cover of these Guides, Subway states that the food ingredients listed are "currently the most commonly used ... [although] formulas may vary from region to region.... Ingredients may vary from this list due to season, changes and formulas, or use of alternate food suppliers."

Taco Bell

Taco Bell offers many food items that are favorites among people who adhere to meatless diets. This year, like in the past, Taco Bell employees have been very helpful in providing us with ingredient information. Taco Bell has also been known to change its ingredient formulations due to consumer request. (Removing the gelatin from its guacamole and lard from its beans are examples.)

Taco Bell is different from many of the other chains we've researched for this article in that its website lists multiple ingredient statements for certain menu items. We've noted the pertinent differences of interest to vegetarians and vegans here. When in doubt, patrons are advised to check with a particular restaurant to know which ingredient formulation is used at that location.

There are several ingredients of concern to vegetarians and vegans in menu items at Taco Bell. Carmine is in the Red Strips and the Lime-Seasoned Red Strips. These items are served on the Fiesta Taco Salad, but this dish may be ordered without them.

The sour cream contains gelatin derived from a bovine source. Sour cream is served with all of the items made Supreme (i.e. Taco Supreme, Soft Taco Supreme, Burrito Supreme, etc.), the Fiesta Taco Salad, the Nachos Bellgrande[R], the 7-Layer Burrito, and the Cheesy Potatoes. All of these items may be ordered without the sour cream.

According to Kathleen Ensley of the Quality Assurance Department at Taco Bell, the L-cysteine in the Chalupa Shell, Flat Bread, Pizza Shell, and the Taco Salad Shell is "animal-based." Nacho Chips, Taco Salad Shells, Mexican Pizza Shells, Caramel Apple Empanadas, Cinnamon Twists, Chalupa Shells, Potato Bites, Red Strips, and certain, unnamed promotional items are all fried together. Taco Bell does not fry any of its meat, although in a letter we were told that "all ingredients are handled by employees in common with other ingredients which may not be acceptable to certain types of vegetarian diets."

Ensley was very helpful in answering our questions. She said, "Every menu item at Taco Bell can be customized." Patrons should request omissions of certain components upon ordering. For example, meatless options on the menu at Taco Bell are listed on their 'Food Facts' webpage and include the 1/2 lb. Cheesy Bean & Rice Burrito, the 7-Layer Burrito, and the Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes. The last two contain sour cream, but this can be omitted upon request. The cheese in each item can be omitted as well.