Burger King has released a limited edition burger ahead of Halloween with a ghoulish tone to match the festivities.
The fast-food chain’s Wednesday Whopper, part of a new menu inspired by the animated Addams Family films, features a deep purple bun.
While some consumers have been concerned about buns containing food coloring, Burger King has assured fans that the coloring is all-natural.
Chef Charlotte Zuber from Burger King’s test kitchen reveals that the purple hue actually comes from purple potatoes.
In a video posted from the fast food chain’s kitchen, he shows how the Whopper is built with a purple potato bun cut in half sandwiched with a meat patty, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles and sliced white onions.
Burger King has launched a limited edition burger in the run-up to Halloween, with a ghoulish tone to match the festivities.
In 2015, Burger King caused a stir after releasing a black Halloween Whopper that turned people’s poop green.
‘GreenPoop’ became a popular hashtag on X, with some users even sharing photos of their surprise in the bathroom.
The black Halloween Whopper bun sold in the US received its dark hue from A1 steak sauce that was baked into the bun.
Food coloring was also added to the mix, but Burger King claimed it was “less than one percent.”
Burger King said at the time that the Halloween Whopper’s flavoring and food coloring were “commonly used in the industry” and met FDA safety guidelines.
However, this time the fast food giant has abandoned colorings for natural ingredients.
The purple potato adds a sweet element, along with a nutty flavor.
Zuber did not reveal how the potatoes are added, but the process can be done by replacing all-purpose flour with potato flour or by mashing cooked potatoes and then adding them to the dough.
One fan wrote on Instagram in response to Wednesday’s Whopper launch: ‘Thank goodness! I didn’t like when Burger King dyed their buns, so this is a good change.”
On Reddit, customers recalled the furor over black hamburger buns.
While some consumers have been concerned about buns containing food coloring, Burger King has assured fans that the coloring is all-natural.
A standard Wednesday Whopper, without additional toppings, has about 820 calories.
But those in the know assured concerned commenters that the purple potato should have no impact on the color of your stool.
One Redditor wrote: ‘The reason the Halloween Whopper in 2015 turned people’s poop green was because of the food coloring, but this bun has no food coloring. The purple comes from purple potatoes.
A standard Wednesday Whopper, without additional toppings, has approximately 820 calories.
The special menu is currently available at participating Burger King restaurants in the US and Canada.
Many reviewers who have tried the Wednesday Whopper say it tastes very similar to the standard offering.
Matt Singer, who tried it for screencrush.com, wrote: “If you closed your eyes and took a bite, it tasted like any other Whopper.”
‘The changes to the standard sandwich are entirely cosmetic. But hey, if you want a Whopper on a super purple bun, you get what you ordered.’
And of the pooping problem experienced with Burger King’s previous Halloween release, he noted: “Finally, some of you may be wondering if there is a specific post-digestion problem that occurred with a previous Burger King colored bun.”
“Well, wow, no problems number two.”