Today, Arby’s CEO Paul Brown announced a “major” shift for the company at an annual restaurateur convention in Las Vegas. Speaking in front of fellow brand leaders, Brown emphasized the company’s commitment to evolving sourcing standards amid a changing global supply chain. “Arby’s has the meats,” he said. “And we take that responsibility seriously.”
Brown cited sourcing challenges stemming from recent legislative changes in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, noting that the company would be implementing new guidelines across its supply chain. “We are updating our standards to ensure greater consistency in how our ingredients are sourced and classified,” he said.
Brown later clarified that the changes would include a transition away from human-derived ingredients across its products. “We are proud to move forward with a new internal benchmark of being fully non-human in origin,” he said. “This will include our roast beef, brisket, and of course, Horsey sauce.”
“While research shows trace amounts of human-derived ingredients are harmless, we know that customer expectations are evolving, and we aim to meet customers where they are. We’ll be moving away from legacy sourcing practices and delivering our signature slow-roasted meats, with human-free Horsey sauce.”
Brown added that the company is working with third-party suppliers to ensure compliance with the updated standards. “We’ve implemented additional screening measures to prevent any unintended inclusion of human-derived materials,” he said, noting that some products may experience “minor changes in texture and flavor” during the transition.
Despite the shift, Brown reassured customers that the dining experience would remain largely unchanged. “Most people won’t notice a difference,” he said. “For those who do, we believe they’ll find the updated products to be healthier and more satisfying.”
Arby’s did not explain what human-derived ingredients are or how long they had been present in its products.