Questions answered

There are 8 questions about “Milkshakes” in the “How do you make...” topic.

Click on a question to read our answer.

1. i have heard that mc donalds milk shake is made out of pork fat, is this true?
No McDonald's Milkshakes do not contain pork fat. There is no meat based products in McDonald's milkshakes. 'Animal fat' is a term used to describe fats derived from meat products, none of which is included in McDonald's milkshakes, making them suitable for vegetarians. Each McDonald's milkshake will have slightly different ingredients depending on its flavour, but all milkshakes are made up of a base of around 75 percent milk, which comes from cows across the British Isles. The rest of the ingredients for the base before any flavouring is added are: Milk, skimmed milk, cream, sugar, skimmed milk powder, and glucose. Stabilisers: E412 guar gum, E452 sodium phosphate, E407 carrageenan, E466 carboxymethylcellulose and vanilla flavour. If you would like to find out more about the ingredients of other McDonald's products, please go to the ‘Food’ section that is at www.mcdonalds.co.uk. (June 2011)

Email this to a friend

Bookmark with:

What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon

2. Dear Mc Donalds, Several years ago you had a promotion where you sold pineapple and grapefruit (i think) flavoured milkshakes. Could you confirm the ingredients and if you are ever going to bring it back? Regards Craig
Thank you for your question. We did sell a pineapple milkshake about 15 years ago, but have no plans on launching it again. We are, however, launching a branded chocolate milkshake in 2011, so keep a look out. (January 2011)

Email this to a friend

Bookmark with:

What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon

3. Because all the milkshakes come out of the same tube, the chocolate always tastes like banana, so does the vanilla! Is there any way you can stop this. I don't like banana!!!!!
Thank you for your question. McDonald’s have several models of machine in use. At least 30% of restaurants have a model in which each flavour of syrup is dispensed in isolation so they have no possibility of mixing. Our other machines have a central dispense nozzle. These machines are programmed to switch off the syrup just before the shake is filled. This means that there should not be any mixing of syrup on any machine. If you are unhappy with your next McFlurry or any other food item that you have ordered, then McDonald's encourages you to bring it to the attention of the restaurant manager. (December 2009)

Email this to a friend

Bookmark with:

What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon

4. I know what you use to make your milkshakes and I know the general process of it all. What I would like to know is when you put the flavoured syrup into the cup and then put the milk in from the machine; presumably it comes out of a nozzle. Is this nozzle used to mix the milk and syrup together and if not, what is used? Thanks!
Thank you for your question. The flavouring of the different milkshakes is made with syrup that is added to the milk base. 75 per cent of this milk comes from cows across the British Isles. Specialist equipment is then used to get the right consistency and ice crystals. These Milkshake machines then keep this mixture constantly moving so that air can also thicken the consistency. The nozzle that you can see on the outside of the machine is used to dispense the mixed Milkshake into the cup. There is a beater mechanism inside the machine that is used to combine the syrup and the unflavoured milkshake prior to dispensing. (March 2009)

Email this to a friend

Bookmark with:

What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon

5. I was recently in the United States, where I enjoyed two McDonald's chocolate milkshakes. I was amazed at the difference in flavour between those of the US and those of the UK. Why is there a difference? Is there any way UK restaurants can change so that we might enjoy chocolate milkshakes to the standard of those supplied in the United States?
Understandably there may be a slight difference in the overall taste as the ingredients from suppliers in the UK will be different to those used in the US. However, McDonald’s milkshakes are of a similar quality and consistency whether here in the UK or in the US. (Jan 09)

Email this to a friend

Bookmark with:

What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon

6. do you still use the cochlin ingredient in your strawberry milkshake.i have heard that this ingredient makes the strawberry milkshake not suitable for consumption by muslims.please advise.
McDonald's no longer uses E120 cochineal as a colouring in their Strawberry Milkshakes. The new colouring is a beetroot juice concentrate (E162) It is a natural extract of beetroot so the Strawberry Milkshake is now suitable for vegetarians. JUNE '07 UPDATE: McDonald's trials Halal chicken at a restaurant in Southall, London. (June 2007) SEPTEMBER '09 TRIAL RESULT: McDonald’s began this trial because we wanted to assess customer demand for certified Halal food in our UK restaurants. We have learnt that Halal is only popular with a very small percentage of our customers and to offer it we would need to make significant changes to our kitchen procedures and supply chain. Given this, we have decided that we are not currently in a position to roll out Halal food in the UK.

Email this to a friend

Bookmark with:

What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon

7. Hi, Ive just found out that as a muslim i cant drink the strawberry milkshake. as are the fries. But is the fish in the filet burger fried in chicken ( or any other kind of oil used to fry any other products)
Thank you for your question. McDonald's Strawberry Milkshake used to contain E120 cochineal, which is a natural colour sourced from animals, making this unsuitable for vegetarians or those concerned about products of animal origin. But you will be happy to know that McDonald's no longer uses this ingredient. The colouring used is a natural beetroot juice concentrate (E162), which makes the Strawberry Milkshake suitable for all to enjoy. Also you will be happy to know that there are no animal fats used in the sourcing, preparation or cooking of McDonald's French fries, both McDonald’s French Fries and Milkshakes have been approved by the Vegetarian Society. The Fish Filet is cooked in a vat using a non hydrogenated blend of rapeseed and sunflower oil (which is suitable for vegetarians). The fish is cooked in a completely dedicated vat, however, there is a slight chance the oil used to cook the fish filet can become in contact with oil used to cook chicken products during the filtration process. We therefore cannot guarantee cross-contamination will not occur. (June 2009)

Email this to a friend

Bookmark with:

What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon

8. have any milkshakes EVER been made from anything else apart from 75% milk, such as animal fats? if so when did this change?
Over the years the recipe has changed slightly, however, McDonald’s has never used animal fats in its milkshakes.

Email this to a friend

Bookmark with:

What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon