There’s been a lot of talk lately about Arby’s new Wagyu Burger. Wagyu beef is a breed of Japanese cattle. In fact, the name “Wagyu” literally means “Japanese cow.” Wagyu cattle are known for their high quality meat, which is prized for its marbled appearance and intense flavor. In today’s market, Wagyu beef goes for around $250-$300 a pound, so it stands to reason that people would wonder about Arby’s being able to offer a Wagyu burger for a mere $6.99. So, what’s going on? Arby’s actually isn’t trying to hide anything. In fact, they’ve publicly stated that their new Wagyu Burger is a mixture of 52% "American Wagyu" and 48% Angus beef.” American Wagyu contains around 25% of actual Wagyu genetics. According to truth in advertising, Arby’s isn’t lying when they say they offer a Wagyu Burger, and their website makes it clear they’re not selling 100% Japanese Wagyu. There are certainly some unscrupulous businesses out there trying to pass off regular beef as Wagyu by packing it with a higher fat content, but that’s not the case with the Arby’s Wagyu Burger. You just have to read the fine print.
