June 2008 Archives

With the heat of summer just starting, I've noticed some fast food chains are trying to draw customers in with the offer of helping them keep cool.

Taco Bell offers the new Frutista Freeze beverages in two flavors, Strawberry and Mango Strawberry. The chain's website says 'Refresh your senses with a smooth frozen strawberry drink - topped with real strawberries'

Real strawberries? Come on! I tried the Mango Strawberry and let me tell you the only thing real is the real strawberry and mango syrups and frozen pieces of strawberries (served over ice). That's it.

If you want to get a brainfreeze and sugar high, then by all means hit up Taco Bell, but it was just not refreshing for me to drink syrup.

Now Jack in the Box went to the smoothie side, sort of Jamba Juice-style, with their Real Fruit Smoothies. The beverages are made with fruit juice and nonfat frozen yogurt in three flavors: Strawberry Banana, Mango and Orange Sunrise. 

Again, real fruit is used loosely. Although it is made of real fruit juice and real frozen yogurt, there is no real fruit blended into these smoothies.

But I was refreshed. I tried the Orange Sunrise and it was like an orangesicle ice cream bar blended in a cup. Icy, yummy, not too sweet and refreshing.

The regular is just $2.99 so it's less than a regular or small drink at Jamba Juice but probably easier to find.

I got this from an Associated Press article today.

After a warning of possible salmonella poisoning in uncooked tomatoes, McDonald's and other fast food and grocery stores have stopped using or selling tomatoes in its U.S. locations, as a precaution.

The source of the tomatoes responsible for illnesses in at least 16 states has not been pinpointed.

McDonald's Corp., the world's largest hamburger chain, stopped serving sliced tomatoes on its sandwiches as a precaution until the source of the salmonella is known, according to a
statement Monday from spokeswoman Danya Proud.

The restaurant will continue serving grape tomatoes in its salads because no problems have been linked to that variety, Proud said.

Taco Bell and Chipotle Mexican Grill are also taking the same precaution.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said at least 23 people have
been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

The FDA said Saturday the outbreak was linked to certain varieties of raw tomatoes
including red plum, red Roma and red round.

Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons stores have halted sales of the three varieties.

For lunch today, I went to In-N-Out and they also have a sign posted that they are not using tomatoes in their burgers.

Although, it's not the tomato itself that makes the burger, it was a little different not having that juicy fruit to bite into.

I hope they figure it out soon.