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If you’re looking to treat yourself to a salty mid-week meal, we might suggest avoiding McDonald’s fries–especially if you’re vegan. We were surprised to learn recently that America’s favorite side contains beef flavor. What?! Here’s everything you need to know:
McDonald’s Fries
It is no secret McDonald’s delicious potato fries are precooked in beef tallow, aka “natural flavoring,” made from milk.
The ingredients are listed right here on their website: "Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [wheat And Milk Derivatives])."
Although if you order fries in different countries around the world they may be cooked differently, but if you're eating them in the USA they are not vegan-friendly.
A few years ago, McDonald's was forced to pay $10M dollars to Hindu and vegetarian groups who claimed the fast food company didn’t disclose that its fries were flavored with beef tallow.
That goes for everything on the menu; the company's US website states that, “Please note none of our menu items are currently certified vegetarian.”
“For flavor enhancement, McDonald’s french fry suppliers use a small amount of beef flavor as a natural flavoring during the par-frying process at the potato processing plant," a customer service agent confirmed Choose Veganism.
