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Subway franchise owners issue ‘warning’ over allegedly dangerous new menu item: ‘[We] cannot endorse this’

The new Subway Fresh Melts are jam-packed with cheese — but for some, that may be a problem.

The North American Association of Subway Franchisees (NAASF), a trade group representing the company’s franchise owners, has issued a “warning notice” against the new item, according to Food & Wine. In an official statement, the association said that making the melty sandwiches would be dangerous and unsafe for both employees and their toasters.

Fast-food fans are used to witnessing outrage around new menu items — whether it’s a fried mozzarella burger at McDonald’s a secret, “nature’s cereal” drink at Starbucks or a “chocolate Whopper” at Burger King. However, those reactions are usually coming from the customers.

In this case, it’s the owners of several Subway franchises who have expressed their concern. According to Thrillist, the NAASF claims that employees could burn themselves while preparing the new Subway Fresh Melts. Additionally, they’ve alleged that the sandwiches might literally damage their toasters.

The Subway Fresh Melts come in three flavors: ham and cheese, steak and cheese and tuna. They, notably, feature a lot of cheese. All three sandwiches come with melted cheese packed on both sides of the sub.

“[We] cannot endorse this promotion under these circumstances,” the NAASF wrote, according to Food & Wine. “We are hopeful that [Subway’s Franchise World Headquarters] will confront these issues immediately and allow us the opportunity to stand with them and endorse this promotion. In the meantime, weigh out the above concerns and stand strong with the decision you make as a franchisee investor.”

Additionally, the NAASF also claimed that the Subway Fresh Melts were simply too complicated to make. Meanwhile, Subway has stood by its product.

“The safety of our franchisees and their restaurant employees is a top priority for us,” the company told Food & Wine. “In addition to providing extensive training materials, a standard protocol is to thoroughly test all new products and innovations and make operational and equipment adjustments as needed, ensuring that our franchisees and hard-working sandwich artists are able to safely and consistently execute a quality meal that guests expect.”

The controversy comes after a year of viral videos claiming to “expose” how Subway prepares some of its ingredients. In 2020, a TikToker claiming to be an employee allegedly showed how the chain’s tuna is made. Months later, another TikTok user shared a similar video making claims about the restaurant’s steak.

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