McDonald’s french fries are an iconic fast food item loved by millions around the world. The golden crispy fries have a distinctive flavor that keeps customers coming back for more. But what exactly gives McDonald’s fries their addictive taste? And do they contain pork?
Over the years, there has been much speculation about the ingredients used to make those famous fries so delicious. Rumors have swirled that McDonald’s fries contain questionable ingredients like pork.
As a long-time McDonald’s fries enthusiast, I decided to do some investigating to uncover the truth behind the ingredients. Here’s what I discovered about whether McDonald’s fries have pork in them.
A Brief History of McDonald’s Fries
To understand if pork is an ingredient, we first need some background on how McDonald’s fries are made
McDonald’s french fries were first introduced in the 1950s. Back then, the fries were cooked in a mixture of beef tallow and cottonseed oil. The beef fat gave the fries their signature rich, meaty flavor.
In the 1990s, public concern over saturated fat led McDonald’s to switch to using pure vegetable oil for frying the fries. But customers complained the new fries lacked the distinctive taste they were used to.
To replicate that flavor, McDonald’s added “natural beef flavor” to the vegetable oil. This flavor contains wheat and milk derivatives, but allows the fries to have a meaty taste without actual beef tallow.
Do McDonald’s Fries Have Pork in Them?
Now that we know a bit about the history, let’s get to the big question: is there pork in McDonald’s fries?
The answer is no. McDonald’s fries today are cooked in a blend of canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, and natural beef flavor.
Despite rumors to the contrary, pork is not listed as an ingredient in McDonald’s french fries in the United States.
There was formerly a small amount of beef flavor added to the oil, but no pork products are used in making the fries today.
Why the Confusion Over Pork in McDonald’s Fries?
If there’s no pork, then why do so many people think there is?
Part of the confusion stems from McDonald’s fries originally being cooked in beef tallow, which comes from cows. Some people mistakenly assumed tallow came from pigs.
There was also a change to the UK ingredients in the 1990s when pork fat was briefly added along with the beef flavor, sparking outrage among religious groups and vegetarians. Though the pork fat was soon removed in the UK, the rumors persisted.
Lastly, there may be confusion between McDonald’s fries and other menu items that do contain pork, like breakfast menu sausage patties and McRib sandwiches. But the fries themselves have no pork.
Are McDonald’s Fries Vegetarian or Vegan?
Since McDonald’s fries contain natural beef flavor, they are not vegetarian or vegan in the U.S.
In the UK and India, the fries are vegetarian and vegan because they use slightly different recipes without beef additives in those countries.
But in America, the natural beef flavor that replicates the taste of tallow means McDonald’s fries are off limits for strict vegetarians and vegans.
What Exactly is in McDonald’s French Fries?
McDonald’s states their fries consist of just three ingredients: potatoes, oil, and dextrose.
The potatoes are a specific variety called Russet Burbank. They are peeled, cut, blanched, and then flash frozen before being shipped to restaurants.
The oils used are canola, corn, soybean, and hydrogenated soybean oil. Dextrose is simply a natural sugar derived from corn or wheat that provides a golden color.
So while the fries have just three main ingredients, there are additional additives used in processing. Besides the natural beef flavor, McDonald’s also uses:
- Sodium acid pyrophosphate to maintain color
- Dimethylpolysiloxane as an anti-foaming agent
- Citric acid to preserve freshness
Why Are McDonald’s Fries So Addictive?
McDonald’s fries have an irresistible quality that keeps people coming back. But why are they so hard to stop eating?
There are a few factors that give McDonald’s fries their addictive flavor:
Beef Tallow History – Even though beef fat is no longer used, customers are used to and crave that signature tallow flavor. The natural beef flavor replicates the taste.
Flavor Boosters – Ingredients like sodium acid pyrophosphate enhance the potato flavor, while the beef flavor provides a rich, meaty taste.
Perfect Crunch – The Russet potatoes contain more starch, resulting in an ideal crisp exterior that yields to a fluffy interior.
Method of Cooking – Frying provides irresistible texture and taste. The two-step process of par-frying then quick frying maximizes crispness.
Salt – A light sprinkle of salt at the end provides the perfect hit of flavor. Saltiness makes food more addictive.
Personal Preference – Primary flavors we enjoy as children get ingrained as favorites for life. For many, that means McDonald’s fries!
So while the ingredients are relatively simple, scientific cooking methods and personal nostalgia combine to make McDonald’s fries hard to resist.
Should You Be Concerned About Eating McDonald’s Fries?
While McDonald’s fries don’t contain pork, some people still have concerns about eating them too often. Here are a few things to consider:
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They are high in fat, calories, sodium, and carbs due to being fried. Eating large sizes or multiple servings can add up unhealthily. Moderation is key.
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Acrylamide is a potential carcinogen produced in starchy foods from high-heat cooking like frying, though levels in McDonald’s fries are within suggested limits.
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Ingredients like sodium acid pyrophosphate and dimethylpolysiloxane are chemical-sounding additives some find concerning, though they’re used safely in small amounts.
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There are sustainability concerns around mass produced potato farming. Locally grown options may be more eco-friendly.
Overall, having McDonald’s fries occasionally or in small portions is likely fine for most people. But moderation is still best, like with any indulgent food.
The Bottom Line
So do McDonald’s fries have pork in them? After investigating the ingredients and process, the answer is no. While they do contain “natural beef flavor”, this flavoring contains no actual beef or pork. The rumor of pork in McDonald’s fries is a persistent myth.
The addictive taste instead comes from the original legacy of beef tallow, potato perfection, flavor boosters, and cooking methods designed to create an irresistible texture and taste. While too many fries too often is inadvisable for health, the occasional indulgence remains a satisfying food memory for generations of customers.
How McDonald’s French Fries Are Made And Why You Should Never Eat Them
FAQ
Is there pork in McDonald’s fries?
Can Muslims eat McDonald’s fries?
What meat is in McDonald’s fries?
What are McDonald’s fries made of?
Are McDonald’s fries made of potato Goop?
And for all the naysayers out there, no McDonald’s fries are not chemical potato goop shaped into fries. Instead, they are made up of potatoes, vegetable oil (which contains canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, and natural beef flavor with wheat and milk derivatives), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and salt.
Do McDonald’s Fry french fries in oil?
McDonald’s french fries get dunked in an oil bath twice. The manufacturers cut and boil them and fry them once before freezing them and shipping them to restaurants, where they are fried again. Vegetable Oil (Blend): To make french fries, you have to deep-fry some potatoes, an otherwise healthy carbohydrate, in something fatty and greasy.
Are McDonald’s french fries made from potatoes?
Mickey D’s french fries are the gold standard for fast-food fries. They’re crispy on the outside with a light and fluffy texture on the inside — and when you receive a hot and fresh batch, you feel like you’ve won the french fry lottery. But did you know that McDonald’s french fries aren’t just made from potatoes?
Are McDonald’s fries fried in vegetable oil?
Before the 1990s, McDonald’s fries were actually cooked in straight beef fat to give them their world-famous taste. But they moved to a vegetable oil blend after consumers complained about the amount of saturated fat in McDonald’s foods. Nowadays, McDonald’s french fries are fried in a pretty ingredient-heavy oil blend.