For years my excuse for why it’s totally healthy to drink McDonald’s milkshakes, is because they’re made out of potato. And since potato is a vegetable, then the milkshake is obviously a vegetable, too. Right?
Well, wrong.
Nevermind my warped logic, the McDonald’s SA “Know Our Food” Campaign has proven that their milkshakes are 100% potato-free. And a whole bunch of other shockingly inaccurate beliefs.
“Know Our Food” is all about transparency. It’s McDonald’s way of answering questions about their food. They realise that people have misconceptions and that it could lose them customers. So they’re welcoming you into their world to ask any questions that you may have. They believe in their product, and want you to, too! You can tell that they’re serious about being honest, even down to adding the nutritional benefits of each menu item to their online menu.
“Know Our Food” is a digitally run campaign that lives predominantly on their microsite, knowourfood.co.za. Here there is a list of commonly asked questions, along with the responses.
I tried it out, I asked Google a few of the below, popular questions via Google’s voice search (you can also use ordinary mobile Google search):
“OK Google, are McDonald’s milkshakes really made from potatoes?” Or click here.
“OK Google, Does McDonald’s use real meat?” Or click here.
“OK Google, are McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets® made with pink slime?” Or click here.
“OK Google, are McDonald’s fries made from powder?” Or click here.
“OK Google, how is my Big Mac made once I order it?” Or click here.
“OK Google, how is my McDonald’s made once I order it?” Or click here.
“OK Google, are McNuggets® made with real chicken” Or click here.
“OK Google, does McDonald’s use real chicken” Or click here.
“Ok Google, Are McDonald’s burgers 100% beef? Or click here.
As a seasoned food industry expert with a deep understanding of McDonald's and their food practices, I can confidently debunk the notion that McDonald's milkshakes are made from potatoes. This claim is not only misleading but also scientifically inaccurate. I base my expertise on a thorough knowledge of McDonald's sourcing and production methods, as well as a comprehensive understanding of food composition.
The "Know Our Food" Campaign initiated by McDonald's South Africa is a commendable effort in promoting transparency within the fast-food industry. McDonald's recognizes the prevalence of misconceptions among consumers and has taken steps to address them. The campaign is digitally driven, primarily residing on their microsite, knowourfood.co.za, where they provide answers to commonly asked questions to dispel myths and foster trust with their customers.
To address the specific queries raised in the provided article, here are the facts:
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McDonald's Milkshakes: Contrary to the erroneous belief mentioned in the article, McDonald's milkshakes do not contain potatoes. They are typically made from a combination of milk, ice cream, and flavored syrup.
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McDonald's Meat: The campaign aims to clarify that McDonald's uses real meat in their products. This includes beef in burgers and real chicken in items like Chicken McNuggets®.
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Chicken McNuggets® and Pink Slime: McDonald's Chicken McNuggets® are not made with "pink slime." This myth has been debunked, and the company has been transparent about the ingredients used in their McNuggets®.
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McDonald's Fries: The notion that McDonald's fries are made from powder is false. McDonald's fries are made from real potatoes, cut into fries, and then fried.
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Big Mac and Other Products: The campaign addresses the process of how products like the Big Mac are made once they are ordered, emphasizing a commitment to providing quality and freshly prepared items.
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Burger Composition: McDonald's burgers are not made from 100% beef. While the beef patty is a significant component, seasonings and other ingredients are added to enhance flavor.
The "Know Our Food" initiative reflects McDonald's dedication to being transparent about their food sourcing, preparation methods, and nutritional information. It is crucial for consumers to rely on accurate information and dispel misconceptions about fast food. McDonald's commitment to honesty and openness, as demonstrated through this campaign, is a testament to their efforts to build trust with their customers.
