In-N-Out Removes Sesame Flour and Switches to Sea Salt, Prompting Mixed Customer Reaction

The California-based burger chain, which operates in 10 states, announced that it has removed sesame flour from its buns and replaced iodized salt packets with sea salt. The changes have sparked a divided response among longtime customers.

In-N-Out said the adjustments are consistent with its commitment to serving high-quality food. The company previously replaced high-fructose corn syrup in its ketchup with real sugar in 2025.

“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.

FILE — An In-N-Out Burger employee holds up an order on April 23, 2017, in Culver City, California. The chain has removed sesame flour from its buns and replaced iodized salt packets with sea salt. (Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images)

The announcement drew an immediate and divided response on social media. Some customers welcomed the removal of sesame, while others criticized the change from iodized salt to sea salt.

One Facebook user said the update would allow them to return to In-N-Out after developing a sesame allergy a few years ago. Another praised the change for making the chain more accessible to people with food allergies and their families.

FILE — Workers serve customers at an In-N-Out Burger outlet in Los Angeles, California, on May 7, 2025. The fast-food chain’s latest announcement quickly divided loyal customers across social media. (Daniel Cole/Reuters / Reuters)

In-N-Out did not say whether the sesame change was made specifically to accommodate customers with allergies. It reverses a precautionary move from 2024, when the federal FASTER Act classified sesame as one of the nine major food allergens.

In-N-Out had added sesame to its buns at select locations because sesame can be difficult to prevent from cross-contaminating other foods.

The switch from iodized salt to sea salt drew stronger criticism, with some customers raising concerns about iodine deficiency and related health problems. One Reddit user suggested the change could revive goiter cases, while another said iodized salt adhered better to fries. A third customer complained that the sea-salt crystals were larger and less smooth than the previous seasoning.

FILE — A hamburger and fries are pictured at an In-N-Out Burger outlet in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 7, 2025. The ingredient changes come after In-N-Out replaced high-fructose corn syrup in its ketchup with real sugar last year. (REUTERS/Daniel Cole / Reuters)

In-N-Out has not explained why it replaced iodized salt. Iodized salt has been used in the United States since the 1920s to help prevent iodine deficiency and conditions such as goiter.

Iodized salt also typically contains anti-caking agents, while sea salt generally does not and undergoes less processing.

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