Questions answered
There are 29 questions about “Milkshakes” in the “What's in the food?” topic.
Click on a question to read our answer.
- 16. I just read on the McDonald's site that your milkshakes contain carboxymethylcellulose. This is a known laxative. Is this why my children always have to go to the bathroom within 2-3 hours of consuming one of your milkshakes?
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Thank you for your question. You’ll be pleased to hear that McDonald’s UK milkshakes do not contain carboxy methyl cellulose.
(November 2009)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 17. What amount of bad stuff like fat does a milkshake have? Thanks
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Each McDonald’s milkshake will contain 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. When milk and sugar are refrigerated to a certain temperature, the combination of sugar and ice particles naturally thickens the mixture. The Milkshake machines keep this mixture constantly moving so that air can also thicken the consistency. A stabilizing agent, "guar gum", is also added as it is to many ice creams, which you can buy in the supermarkets. McDonald's milkshakes are also suitable for vegetarians and have been approved by the Vegetarian Society. A full list of ingredients for all McDonald's menu items is available in the 'Food' section of www.mcdonalds.co.uk.
(October 2009)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 18. Is it true that you sometimes put tree sap in your milkshakes to make them sweeter? My step-mum told me this and I wanted to know if it's true? II love mcdonalds. :D
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There is no tree sap in McDonald’s milkshakes. There are some gums that are used to thicken the shake but these are derived from locust beans, guar beans and a red algae called Carrageenan.
(May 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 19. I heard that there is chicken fat in the milkshake is that true And hw cum they dont do Halaal food And hw safe it is to eat the food And do they use lard to fried the chips or cooking oil Many thanks
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Thank you for your question. No, McDonald's milkshakes do not contain chicken fat. There is no chicken by-product whatsoever in the Milkshakes - they are suitable for vegetarians and have been approved by the Vegetarian Society. Additionally, you will be happy to hear that there are no animal fats used in the sourcing, preparation or cooking of McDonald's French fries. The Fries are made from 100% potato, and are cooked in a non-hydrogenated blend of rapeseed and sunflower oil. McDonald's food contains nothing that should make a normal, healthy person ill or feel sick in any way and all ingredients that are used are similar to those you would buy in the supermarket or use at home. A full list of the ingredients of all McDonald's menu items is available in the 'Food' section of www.mcdonalds.co.uk.
With regards to Halal food, at the moment, McDonald's UK lacks the necessary infrastructure throughout its supply chain to guarantee the requirements of Halal while ensuring the company retains its high standards of welfare, ingredient quality, etc. However, in response to the growing demand for Halal food items for some customers, McDonald’s is conducting a trial in a restaurant in the Southall restaurant, London. This restaurant offers a selection of products that meet the standards required by the Halal Food Authority and McDonald’s animal welfare standards. The results of this trial will be analysed against the views and requirements of the whole local community and a decision taken on whether this will rolled out to other restaurants in relevant areas of the country.(April 2009)
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.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 20. today in school i learned that there were four types of recycled plastic in McDonalds milkshake. Why dont you explain further more about that? i think that is totally disgusting and u guys should be sued.
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We can reassure you that this rumour is not true. Each McDonald’s milkshake will contain 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. When milk and sugar are refrigerated to a certain temperature, the combination of sugar and ice particles naturally thickens the mixture. The Milkshake machines keep this mixture constantly moving so that air can also thicken the consistency. A stabilizing agent, "guar gum", is also added as it is to many ice creams, which you can buy in the supermarkets. McDonald's milkshakes are also suitable for vegetarians and have been approved by the Vegetarian Society. A full list of ingredients for all McDonald's menu items is available in the 'Food' section of www.mcdonalds.co.uk.
(September 2009)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 21. I was wondering please could you tell me what the calcium content of the milkshakes are? I particularly want to know about a small and medium banana shake. Is it the same as drinking milk but just with more sugar?
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Thank you for your question. A small Banana Milkshake contains approximately 175 mg of calcium and a medium Banana Milkshake contains approximately 335 mg of calcium. This is equivalent to approximately 100mg of calcium per 100ml of milkshake. According to the latest values published by the Dairy Council whole milk contains 122mg of calcium per 100ml of whole milk.
(September 2009)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 22. I heard that McDonald’s puts clay in their milk shakes is that true?
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We can reassure you that this is not true. This is another urban myth surrounding McDonald’s and there is no truth to this. Each McDonald’s milkshake will contain 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. When milk and sugar are refrigerated to a certain temperature, the combination of sugar and ice particles naturally thickens the mixture. The Milkshake machines keep this mixture constantly moving so that air can also thicken the consistency. A stabilizing agent, "guar gum", is also added as it is to many ice creams, which you can buy in the supermarkets. McDonald's milkshakes are also suitable for vegetarians and have been approved by the Vegetarian Society. A full list of ingredients for all McDonald's menu items is available in the 'Food' section of www.mcdonalds.co.uk.
(August 2009)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 23. I heard recently that you use chicken fat in your milkshakes, but having read other Q and as I understand this is not true. I guess the rumours came from somewhere though so can you confirm, have your milkshakes contained animal fat or gelatine in the past?
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Thank you for your question. We can reassure you that animal fat has never been used in McDonald’s UK Milkshakes (with the exception of natural milk fat within semi skimmed milk). This is another urban myth surrounding McDonald’s and there is no truth to this.
(July 09)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 24. When I went on holiday to Canada, the milkshakes there (namely chocolate) were far superior to the ones served in the U.K. They actually tasted like chocolate and had a much nicer texture. They used to be alright a long time ago, but since then they've tasted more like honey mixed with random chemicals. What's up with that? Don't give me the line about being sorry for my experience please. ;)
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Thank you for your question, however Make Up Your Own Mind has been set up specifically to answer questions about McDonald's within the UK so it is hard for us to answer specific questions about products in other markets. McDonald’s UK milkshakes will contain 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. When milk and sugar are refrigerated to a certain temperature, the combination of sugar and ice particles naturally thickens the mixture. The Milkshake machines keep this mixture constantly moving so that air can also thicken the consistency. A stabilizing agent, "guar gum", is also added as it is to many ice creams, which you can buy in the supermarkets. We can reassure you that McDonalds UK milkshakes do not contain any ‘honey’. If you are ever unhappy with your purchase, please bring it to the attention of the restaurant manager or crew member who will replace it with a another new fresh order.
(May 2009)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 25. do they put potato in mcdonalds milkshakes???
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Thank you for your question. McDonald's milkshakes do not contain potato. They are suitable for vegetarians and have been approved by the Vegetarian Society. A full list of the ingredients of all McDonald's menu items is available in the 'Food' section of www.mcdonalds.co.uk.
(Jan 08)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 26. are your milkshakes suitable for pregnant women, and does it contain unpasterised milk?
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Firstly apologies for the delay in answering your question, the team has been very busy with all the questions that are pouring in and everybody is working hard to answer them all.
The milk used in McDonald's milkshakes is pasteurised milk. Details on the rest of the ingredients are available in the ‘Ingredients List’ which is in the ‘Eat Smart’ section at on www.mcdonalds.co.uk
If you are in any doubt about what to eat when pregnant you should discuss this with your GP or midwife.
(Nov 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 27. is it true that 7 different specimens of semen were found in a banana milkshake?
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No, there is no truth to this. All the milkshakes are made using fresh dairy milk. Visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk and click on the `Eat Smart` section for a full ingredients list of all the McDonalds menu items including the milkshakes.
(July 2008)
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 28. Is it true you make milkshakes out of LARD?!?!? coz that is disgusting! And my teacher says that the salads are less healthy than the burgers! thats abit stupid innit? Gaaaawd whats this world comming to? Love you xXxXx
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Firstly McDonald's apologises unreservedly for the late reply to your question. There were some technical problems which caused some questions to slip through.
Regarding your question: McDonald’s is constantly surprised by the myths surrounding the ingredients in its food. There is no lard in the Milkshakes. The base ingredients of the Milkshakes are as follows: Milk, Sugar, Whey Powder, Glucose Syrup, Cream (40% Butterfat), Stabiliser (E412 Guar Gum, E407 Carrageenan (Standardised with sugars), Dextrose, E410 Locust Bean Gum. The rest of the ingredients depend upon the flavour you choose. All our different milkshakes have been approved as vegetarian by the Vegetarian Society.
What is 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' is a question up for debate. Nutritionists say that food items can’t be categorised either way, but that it’s a matter of moderation, balance and physical activity in your overall diet. If you would like to compare the burgers and salads, you can find all McDonald’s food ingredients and information in the 'Ingredients List' which is in the 'Eat Smart' section of www.mcdonalds.co.uk. Also, there is a comprehensive list of nutritional and allergen information available at www.mcdonaldsmenu.info.
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What are these? Delicious Digg Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon - 29. What makes up one of your chocolate milkshakes and what makes them so thick?
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McDonald’s Milkshakes contain milk as the largest ingredient. When milk and sugar are refrigerated to a certain temperature, the combination of sugar and ice particles naturally thickens the mixture. The Milkshake machines keep this mixture constantly moving so that air can also thicken the consistency. A stabilizing agent, E412 guar gum, is also added, as it is to many ice creams you can buy in the supermarkets. The Chocolate Milkshake contains: Milkshake base: milk, skimmed milk, cream, sugar, skimmed milk powder, glucose. Stabilisers: E412 guar gum, E452 sodium phosphate, E407 carrageenan, E466 carboxymethylcellulose, vanilla flavour. Chocolate flavour milkshake syrup: water, sugar, dextrose, low-fat cocoa powder (6.6%), colouring agent: E150 caramel sugar syrup, salt, acidifier: E330 citric acid, emulsifier: E322 soya lecithin, preservative: E202 potassium sorbate.
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