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In-N-Out fans were sent into a frenzy Tuesday after the burger joint announced changes to its ingredients.
The California-based chain, which operates in 10 states, said it recently altered two ingredients, removing sesame flour from its buns and replacing its packets of iodized salt with sea salt.
The company said the changes are consistent with its ongoing commitment to providing quality food, pointing to a previous decision in 2025 to replace high-fructose corn syrup in its ketchup with real sugar.
“We remain committed to serving our Customers with the freshest, highest-quality food possible. Over the years, we’ve made meaningful changes to our ingredients, and this past year was no exception. We’re pleased to share our latest updates, and we’ll continue building on that commitment for years to come,” the company said.
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The ingredient changes quickly sparked a mixed reaction online, with some customers praising the removal of sesame while others complained about the switch from iodized salt.
“This is great news! I have a sesame allergy I developed a few years ago and I missed In-N-Out burgers,” one Facebook user wrote.
“Removing sesame is a game changer for so many with allergies including my family. How great to be able to put In-N-Out back on the list of options,” another user said.
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In-N-Out did not explain whether the decision to remove sesame flour was made specifically to accommodate customers with allergies.
The change reverses a decision In-N-Out made in 2024 after the federal FASTER Act designated sesame as a major food allergen. Because sesame is difficult to prevent from cross-contaminating other foods, the company added it to its buns in select locations as a precaution against potential lawsuits and recalls.
However, the switch from iodized salt to sea salt drew criticism from numerous customers, with some raising concerns about iodine deficiency and related health problems.
“Remove iodine? Sure, because apparently goiters needed a comeback,” one Reddit user said.
“The salt was a downgrade imo. The iodized sticks to the fries better,” another Reddit user added.
“I enjoyed your salt more before the change, which I noticed a while ago when the crystals got larger. It used to be so silky smooth,” one customer said in a post on Facebook.
In-N-Out did not explain why it switched from iodized salt, which has been used in the U.S. since the 1920s to help prevent iodine deficiency and conditions such as goiter.
Iodized salt is also typically paired with anti-caking agents, while sea salt generally does not contain them and undergoes less processing.
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