McDonald’s makes information about its menu's potential food allergens available both online menu explorerand via nutritional pamphlets available at many locations. However, buyer beware: The online menu explorer lists all of the ingredients in each offering, but it's up to the consumer to decide if an allergen is present. In addition,McDonald's has stated that due to frequently changing recipes, this information may not be up to date or accurate at all times. Therefore, it is important to check with a McDonald's register attendant about whether the item you intend to order contains any particular allergen. However, keep in mind that the attendant may not always be aware of all the allergens that may be present in the food.
Avoiding Gluten
When it comes to gluten-free items, most people avoiding gluten are aware that any sandwich item served on a bun is a no-no. However, gluten lurks in some of McDonald's less obvious menu items as well. These include baked goods such as cookies and pies, french fries, sauces, and most chicken dishes.
McDonald's states, "We currently don’t offer a gluten-free menu. That said, we encourage customers with special dietary needs to check out our menu explorer where you can find full lists of ingredients. Because food sensitivities are so different from person to person, we also recommend you follow up with your physician to make your best health decision."
Avoiding Milk
If you have a milk allergy or otherwise intend to avoid milk, McDonald's can be a tricky place to dine. That's because trace amounts of milk may be present in unexpected dishes, such as fish fillets, sauces, nuts, scrambled eggs, and numerous coffee beverages.
Avoiding Eggs
Aside from the obvious breakfast menu items such as the Egg McMuffin and baked goods, many less obvious dishes contain egg. The least likely suspects include many sauces and salad dressings, hotcakes, and some milkshakes.
Avoiding Nuts
Most people with a peanut allergy are concerned about frying oil. McDonald's says it uses a canola oil blend for deep frying. However, those with peanut or tree nut allergies should be aware that McDonald's Canada in early 2017 announced it will introduce menu items such as the Skor McFlurry that contain nuts not sealed in individual plastic packets. “All products available at our restaurants may contain or come into contact with peanuts, tree nuts or other allergens,” McDonald's said in a statement.
"At McDonald's, we take great care to serve quality, great-tasting menu items to our customers each and every time they visit our restaurants. We understand that each of our customers has individual needs and considerations when choosing a place to eat or drink outside their home, especially those customers with food allergies. As part of our commitment to you, we provide the most current ingredient information available from our food suppliers for the eight most common allergens as identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (eggs, dairy, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish), so that our guests with food allergies can make informed food selections. However, we also want you to know that despite taking precautions, normal kitchen operations may involve some shared cooking and preparation areas, equipment and utensils, and the possibility exists for your food items to come in contact with other food products, including allergens. We encourage our customers with food allergies or special dietary needs to visit www.mcdonalds.comfor ingredient informationand to consult their doctor for questions regarding their diet. Due to the individualized nature of food allergies and food sensitivities, customers' physicians may be best positioned to make recommendations for customers with food allergies and special dietary needs. If you have questions about our food, please reach out to us directly at www.mcdonalds.com/contactor 1-800-244-6227."
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Freeman, M., & Klenke, M. K. Allergy Training or Lack Thereof.Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses
We produce our food in kitchens where allergens are handled by our people, and where equipment and utensils are used for multiple menu items, including those containing allergens. Although your meal is prepared with care, we cannot guarantee it will be allergen free, even after ingredients have been removed on request.
You can find the main allergens in our menu items by viewing the ingredient declarations in our menu pages or by clicking on the Allergen Info icon at the top of the home page.
If the customer does have any allergies, ensure the customer that you will let the kitchen know immediately. It is also important to note if your restaurant's menu has symbols for any menu items that contain possible allergens. Let the customer know of any items that have major allergens so they can order accordingly.
Ingredient Notice (Egg, Milk, Peanut, Soy, Tree Nut and Wheat): McDonald's. McDonald's wants to make customers with milk, wheat, soy, egg, peanut or tree nut allergies aware of these allergens in the Strawberry Shortcake McFlurry.
"This hamburger tops the list of best items when it comes calories, saturated fat, and sodium," says the Nutrition Twins. "Add apple slices or a healthy side from your own house or car to step up the fiber, antioxidants and nutrients."
Aside from the obvious breakfast menu items such as the Egg McMuffin and baked goods, many less obvious dishes contain egg. The least likely suspects include many sauces and salad dressings, hotcakes, and some milkshakes.
McDonald's had said until recently that its fries were free of gluten and milk or wheat allergens and safe to eat for those with dietary issues related to the consumption of dairy items. But the fast-food company quietly added “Contains wheat and milk ingredients” this month to the french fries listing on its Web site.
Once in our kitchens, we cook them in our canola-blend oil so you can have them crispy and hot—just the way you like them. Want to hear more about our fry ingredients?
Thoroughly clean all surfaces and cooking tools (a dishwasher is best) before cooking, as the allergen may be in your kitchen from previous use. Use separate or thoroughly washed utensils to cook allergy-friendly dishes. Cook allergy-friendly dishes first; label and clean all surfaces and utensils after doing so.
Tree Nut. Tree nut allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children and adults. Tree nuts include, but are not limited to, walnut, almond, hazelnut, cashew, pistachio and Brazil nuts. They are not the same as peanuts, which are legumes, or seeds, such as sunflower or sesame.
McDonald's has a policy of avoiding peanuts in their standard menu items, but cross-contamination can occur, and some products may contain traces of peanuts or tree nuts. It's important to note that McDonald's restaurants also offer various desserts and treats that contain tree nuts.
Hamburger (with a soy-free bun) 2. Side salad (with a soy-free dressing) 3. Apple slices 4. Beverages, such as soft drinks, coffee, and tea Please note that McDonald's french fries are cooked in a blend of vegetable oils that contain soybean oil, so they are not suitable for those with soy allergies.
Like most fried foods, McDonald's fries are cooked in canola oil. But this didn't used to be the case. Beef tallow was initially used because the supplier for the chain couldn't afford vegetable oil.
McDonald's Grilled Chicken Sandwich is a savory choice for those seeking a protein-packed meal. Made with tender grilled chicken breast, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomato, all nestled in a soft bun, this option is lower in calories and fat compared to many other menu items.
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