WETHERSPOONS has issued a warning to its customers over “short term supply issues” which could catch out punters.
The pub chain says vegan customers may want to ask staff to remove fruit garnishes from their drinks.
This is because the limes currently being served may not be vegan due to their wax coating.
The firm said that the limes it sells are usually suitable for vegans, but due to a supply issue with vegan limes, it could not guarantee that the fruit coating currently being used would not be derived from animal products.
In some cases, citrus fruits are coated in beeswax, which is not considered suitable for a vegan diet because of harvesting on hives.
A sign has been spotted in one of the chain’s bars which said: “Due to a short-term supply issue, we cannot currently guarantee that the lime used in drinks is vegan.
“Please ask for your drink without any fruit garnish, if you wish.”
It added the chain did expect its normal supply of vegan limes to be resumed as soon as possible.
A spokesman for Wetherspoons said: “Wetherspoon sources its lemons and limes from a vegan friendly supplier.
“However, for a limited period of time, we are using a different supplier for our limes across our pubs.
“We cannot, with the new supplier, guarantee that the limes are vegan friendly and as a result have put up the notice in our pubs.”
It is not the first time major companies have had issues with vegan-friendly fruit.
In 2022, Tesco admitted its citrus fruits were coated with shellac, an ingredient produced from the lac bug.
NEW SPOONS OPENING
A brand new Wetherspoons is set to open in London this summer – and it’s going to be at one of the city’s biggest train stations.
Spoons has announced that its new pub, the Lion and the Unicorn, will open its doors in Waterloo.
The chain is investing £2.5million in the new bar, which will provide drinks and food as part of the station’s social offerings.
Meanwhile, The Asparagus was among four other Wetherspoons in south London which were put up for sale last September but now it has officially closed.
