Questions answered
There are 76 questions about “French Fries” in the “What's in the food?” topic.
Click on a question to read our answer.
- 1. Just a question on your French fries,where do you actually get the fries themselves from?? Many thanks
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The majority of McDonald’s French Fries are made by McCain’s. Russet Burbank, Pentland Dell and Shepody potatoes are used for their quality, taste and long shape when cut. The fries are cooked in dedicated frying vats in a new non-hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil which is suitable for vegetarians. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste. There are no animal fats or lards added of any kind, all that is added is a pinch of salt after cooking for taste. You can find extensive information of all McDonald's menu available in the 'Eat Smart' section of www.mcdonalds.co.uk and at www.mcdonaldsmenu.info.
(July 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 2. Your fries are coated in pig lard before being sent to restuarants around the world (including islamic countries) and then fried in vegetable oil. Is this true
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Firstly, many apologies for the very slow response to your question, as the site went through a few changes and technical updates some questions had slipped through so thank you for your patience. Please continue to send in your questions and check back on the site from time to time for all the latest on Make Up Your Own Mind. Regarding your question, No, this is not true. You will be happy to know that the French Fries sold in McDonald's UK are suitable for vegetarians. McDonald's UK uses new non-hydrogenated, GM free cooking oil. This reduces the levels of Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) to their lowest possible levels - less than two percent (naturally occurring TFAs make it impossible to reach zero percent). The oil (a blend of sunflower and rapeseed) has been carefully developed to ensure it does not raise saturated fat content, or change the taste. If you are ever in doubt, you can always check the full list of ingredients at www.mcdonalds.co.uk.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 3. How much should each portion of fries weigh in your UK restaurants?
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Thanks for your question, the Small Fries weigh in at 80g, the Medium Fries at 114g and the Large Fries = 160g.
(April 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 4. i will be going abroad next year could you advise on how i can find out if fries are GLUTEN FREE in these country usa-dubia-nz
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Firstly, many apologies for the very slow response to your question, as the site went through a few changes, some questions had slipped through the net, so thank you for your patience. In Regards to your question, McDonald’s is unable to confirm if fries are gluten free in other markets, as it depends on what promotional items they are selling in the restaurant at the time. Best thing to do is to check the specific country website or speak with their customer services team.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 5. Q1. Plz clarify whether your outlets coat their french fries in pig fat. There is a nasty rumour doing the rounds and it is affecting your business. Until proper clarification most muslims wont touch your fries. Q2. Another favourite amongst Muslims is the Mcdonalds strawbery milkshake which is surrounded in controversy. Plz clarify exact ingredients. Many thanks for your co-operation.
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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.
(February 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 6. There has been more than one question about whether your fries are 'vegan' or 'vegetarian'. But they have not been satisfactorily answered; e.g. somebody asked what was in the fries that made them vegetarian but not vegan and they got back some standard spiel answer. It's potentially a one-word answer, which is what I want. What is the ingredient? Eggs? Cheese???
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Sorry it has taken so long to reply to you.
The French Fries only contain potato, salt, (plus, at some times of the year, a light coating of dextrose which is a natural wheat-based sugar) and are cooked in a new non hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil. A number of items on the menu (including the fries) have been approved by the Vegetarian Society, (as of late 2007) as vegetarian. However, there are no meals that are officially vegan approved, which is why McDonald's does not claim any official-sounding vegan status. But although not certified as suitable for vegans, McDonald's believes the fries are suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 7. how many calories does the large french fries at mcdonalds contain. and how many calories does the Mcflrrys contain (crunchie mcflurry )
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There are 445 (KCals) in a large portion of French fries and 315 (KCals) in the Crunchie McFlurry.
(February 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 8. are the fries coated in fat? animal or veg?
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McDonald’s French Fries aren’t coated in beef extract before they are fried. They are cooked in a new non- hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil, making them 100 percent vegetarian-friendly.
DECEMBER '07 UPDATE: McDonald's French Fries are now fully accredited by the Vegetarian Society. (December 2007)
FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 9. Do McDonalds fries still contain beef tallow? Also, how healthy, really, are the childrens vegetables?
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Sincerest apologies from the team for the late reply.
The French Fries do not contain any beef or derivatives from beef. They have always been, and still are, made from potatoes. In fact in the UK, French Fries are made exclusively from the Russett Burbank, Shepody and Pentland Dell potatoes, specially selected for their long shape. They're cooked in a new non-hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil and then salted after cooking. At certain times of the year (the beginning of the potato season) dextrose may be added to help the French Fries brown nicely, but for the most part it’s just potatoes. They are also, as of late 2007, certified by the Vegetarian Society, meaning both ingredients and processes have been fully scrutinised.
Vegetables should form part of a balanced diet and the Food Standards Agency recommends that everybody should eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. McDonald's vegetables are carefully selected for their taste and freshness and are no different from the vegetables that you may buy in a supermarket.
All McDonald's food nutritional information is available online in the 'Eat Smart' section of www.mcdonalds.co.uk under the 'Nutrition Counter'.
(September 2007)
FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 10. Why dont you answer questions properly? For example: You did not deny that your Mcfries did not rot as quickly as proper CHIPS.... all you said was that you add salt and dextrose..... both of which can act as preservatives..... how much? and which 'salt ' do' you use? There are many 'salts', go on.... which one?
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Every effort is made to answer all questions with all the facts, and in as much detail as possible, and the company is sorry you feel a question wasn’t fully answered. With regards to your question, McDonald’s French Fries are made from 100 percent potato. They are cooked in a blend of non-hydrogenated sunflower and rapeseed oil, and dextrose is only added at the beginning of the potato season when the spuds’ natural sugar reserves are low - the dextrose helps the French Fries brown properly. Then regular salt (sodium chloride) is added for taste after cooking. There is 0.7g of salt in a medium portion of McDonald’s French Fries. (May 2007)
FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 11. How can you continue to claim your fries are vegetarian when beef is one of the ingredients?
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Beef is not one of the ingredients of McDonald`s French Fries!
McDonald’s French Fries are made from potatoes. In fact, in the UK, French Fries are made exclusively from the Russett Burbank, Shepody and Pentland Dell potatoes, specially selected for their long shape. They’re cooked in partially hydrogenated 100 percent rapeseed oil and then salted after cooking. At certain times of the year (the beginning of the potato season) dextrose may be added to help the French Fries brown nicely, but for the most part it’s just potatoes, rapeseed oil and salt.
FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 12. After watching Super Size Me and seeing their experiement with seeing how long it would take for ur fries to start rotting, and was shocked at seeing it was way over 2 months and ur fries was still the same, Why do your fries stay the same when left for 2 months? What happens when it is in our bodies, this cannot be good. Why is there sugar in your fries?
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McDonald’s French Fries are made from potatoes and as such would deteriorate at the same rate as other potato products. McDonald’s French Fries are made only from Russett Burbank, Shepody and Pentland Dell potatoes because of their long shape, and are supplied by UK growers. The only thing added to the French Fries other than salt and new non-hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil they are cooked in, is dextrose. Dextrose is only added at the beginning of the potato season when the potatoes natural sugar reserves are low and the dextrose helps the French Fries brown properly. All potatoes contain a certain amount of natural sugar.
FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 13. Hi I have a question about the fries in the USA. I have just been told they use BEEF on their fries. Can someone please let me know if this is true I was relived to find, the ones in the UK are vegetarain, but I go to the USA a lot, and i'm more shocked then anything to find out of all things, chips have beef on them. Thanks
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The French Fries in McDonald’s UK only made potatoes. These are cooked in a new non-hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil with no added flavourings. Dextrose is only added at the beginning of the season and salt is added after cooking. The ingredients list for all McDonald’s USA items can be found at www.mcdonalds.com/usa.html under the Food, Nutrition and Fitness section.
FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 14. Do your fries get coated in a beef extract before they are fried? Or are they 100% vegetarian? Do your fillet of fish burgers have any meat extraxts in them?
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No, McDonald’s French Fries aren’t coated in beef extract before they are fried. They are cooked in a new non- hydrogenated blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil, making them 100 percent vegetarian-friendly. The Filet-o-Fish does not contain any meat extract. (May 2007)
FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 15. What % of trans fat are present in the partially hydrogenated rapeseed oil that you fry fries in?
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Good news. McDonald's UK is now using a new non-hydrogenated cooking oil in its restaurants, substantially reducing the levels of Trans Fatty Acids in many of its most popular products.
The new blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil was introduced to all 1214 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK during April, eight months ahead of schedule, as part of a Europe-wide move by McDonald’s to reduce the TFA content of cooking oil in all its restaurants. The new oil has been developed without raising the saturated fat content or altering the taste, which research has shown is important to customers.
The trans fatty acid content of the new cooking oil is less than two per cent, which means the levels found in popular foods such as French fries, Chicken McNuggets and apple pies will be significantly reduced.
Work is now under way to remove hydrogenated oil, where present, from own-brand products by the end of the year.
DECEMBER '07 UPDATE: McDonald's French Fries are now fully accredited by the Vegetarian Society.
(December 2007)
FEBRUARY '08 UPDATE: McDonald’s UK now do not use any hydrogenated oil in any food items across the entire menu
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