As a society, we‘ve become increasingly wary of "processed foods." We picture mystery meats, neon-colored additives, and unpronounceable ingredients concocted in a lab. So it‘s no surprise that many health-conscious consumers want to know: Is McDonald‘s food processed?
The answer is not a simple yes or no. As one of the world‘s largest fast food chains, McDonald‘s relies on a complex supply chain and preparation system that uses a combination of fresh, minimally processed ingredients and more heavily processed items. However, in recent years McDonald‘s has made significant strides to reduce artificial ingredients and increase its use of fresh produce and sustainably-sourced proteins.
Breaking Down the McDonald‘s Menu
Let‘s start with McDonald‘s most iconic menu item: the burger. According to the company, McDonald‘s burgers are made from 100% pure beef with no fillers, additives or preservatives. The patties are ground from whole cuts of beef, shaped, and then flash frozen to lock in freshness. At restaurant locations, the burgers are cooked on a grill or clamshell cooker and seasoned with just a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
This minimal processing stands in stark contrast to many other fast food and frozen burger patties, which often contain a slew of additives and fillers. A 2015 analysis by the environmental advocacy group Friends of the Earth found that:
- 100% of store-bought hamburger patties contained additives to extend shelf life or alter taste or appearance
- Some brands contained up to 12 different additives, including corn starch, cellulose, and artificial colors and flavors
McDonald‘s chicken undergoes more processing than their burgers. Items like Chicken McNuggets are made from chicken breast meat that is chopped, seasoned, breaded, par-fried, and frozen. Until recently, McNuggets also contained artificial preservatives like tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) in the cooking oil. However, in 2016 McDonald‘s announced that it was removing artificial preservatives from Chicken McNuggets, and the company has continued to phase out artificial colors and flavors across the menu.
When it comes to produce, McDonald‘s uses a mix of fresh and processed ingredients. Salads feature fresh greens like romaine lettuce, baby spinach, and kale, as well as grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. Sliced apples are another fresh option on the menu. However, salad dressings, dipping sauces, and burger buns still contain various additives and preservatives for flavor and shelf stability.
To quantify McDonald‘s use of fresh vs. processed ingredients, we can categorize menu items into three buckets: primarily unprocessed, moderately processed, and heavily processed. Here‘s how the McDonald‘s menu breaks down:
| Processing Level | Example Menu Items | % of Menu |
|---|---|---|
| Primarily Unprocessed | Salads (no dressing), Sliced Apples, Grilled Chicken Breast | 10% |
| Moderately Processed | Burgers, Filet-O-Fish, Scrambled Eggs | 55% |
| Heavily Processed | Chicken McNuggets, Fries, Soft Serve Ice Cream | 35% |
As this breakdown shows, while McDonald‘s menu does lean more heavily processed than unprocessed, the majority of menu items fall into the moderately processed category. Burgers, which make up a large portion of sales, are relatively minimally processed compared to most other fast food offerings.
Improving the Supply Chain
Another factor to consider in evaluating the extent of processing in McDonald‘s food is the company‘s supply chain. In recent years, McDonald‘s has implemented a number of sourcing changes and sustainability initiatives to improve ingredient quality and traceability:
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Since 2016, McDonald‘s has sourced 100% of its beef in the US from North American ranches that are verified sustainable according to the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef standards. McDonald‘s is now the largest purchaser of beef in the US, and this shift has the potential to drive industry-wide change.
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McDonald‘s eggs in the US and Canada are now 100% cage-free, a commitment the company achieved in 2020, ahead of schedule. In the UK and EU, all eggs (both whole and liquid) have been free-range since 2008.
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In 2018, McDonald‘s became the first global restaurant company to set a science-based target to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company is working with franchisees and suppliers to reduce emissions intensity across the supply chain.
While there is certainly more work to be done, these tangible steps demonstrate a real commitment on McDonald‘s part to sourcing more sustainable, responsibly-produced ingredients. And as one of the largest buyers in the global food supply chain, McDonald‘s sustainability policies have a ripple effect that extends well beyond the company‘s own menu.
How Does McDonald‘s Compare?
Of course, McDonald‘s isn‘t the only fast food chain grappling with the processed food reputation. So how does McDonald‘s stack up against its competitors when it comes to artificial ingredients and processing?
According to a 2019 report from ingredient researcher DataEssential, McDonald‘s ranks relatively well among the top 10 US fast food chains in terms of "clean eating":
| Rank | Restaurant | "Clean Eating" Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Subway | 72% |
| 2 | Wendy‘s | 62% |
| 3 | Burger King | 57% |
| 4 | McDonald‘s | 53% |
| 5 | Chick-fil-A | 51% |
| 6 | KFC | 45% |
| 7 | Arby‘s | 38% |
| 8 | Taco Bell | 36% |
| 9 | Jack in the Box | 34% |
| 10 | Sonic | 31% |
While Subway takes the top spot with its emphasis on fresh produce, McDonald‘s comes in squarely in the middle of the pack, ahead of competitors like KFC, Taco Bell, and Jack in the Box.
Some specific examples of how McDonald‘s stacks up against other chains in terms of processed ingredients:
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Burger King: In 2020, Burger King announced it would phase out 120 artificial ingredients and additives from its menu. However, the chain still uses artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives in items like its buns and sauces. Burger King has also been criticized for using 100% cage-free eggs only in select markets, while McDonald‘s has made a global commitment.
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Wendy‘s: Wendy‘s has long emphasized its use of fresh, never frozen beef. However, the chain‘s menu still contains artificial ingredients like calcium propionate and sodium benzoate in items like chicken nuggets and lemonade. In contrast, McDonald‘s has removed artificial preservatives from many core menu items.
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Taco Bell: Taco Bell has made strides in recent years to reduce artificial ingredients, but the chain still relies heavily on processed items. Additives like cellulose gum, soy lecithin, and silicon dioxide can be found in everything from taco shells to sour cream. While McDonald‘s is certainly not additive-free, the company has been more proactive in phasing out artificial ingredients.
So while McDonald‘s may not be the cleanest fast food option out there, the company does appear to be ahead of the curve compared to many of its direct competitors. Through initiatives like Fresh Beef quarter pounders (made from fresh, not frozen patties), all-day breakfast with real cracked eggs, and a continuing phase-out of artificial additives, McDonald‘s is taking concrete steps to shed its hyper-processed reputation.
Clean Eating Goes Mainstream
These menu changes aren‘t happening in a vacuum. Rather, they reflect a broader societal shift toward healthier, less processed foods. In recent years, the idea of "clean eating" – consuming primarily whole, unprocessed ingredients – has gone from a niche dietary subculture to a mainstream trend.
According to a Nielsen survey, 93% of US households now want to eat more fresh foods. Demand for natural, additive-free products is on the rise across virtually every food and beverage category:
- Sales of foods with no artificial colors grew 7.4% in 2018
- Sales of foods with no artificial flavors grew 11.5% in 2018
- Sales of foods with no artificial preservatives grew 4.3% in 2018
As consumers become more ingredient-savvy and health-conscious, they are seeking out brands and restaurants that align with their desire for more natural, minimally processed options. This shift poses a unique challenge for fast food chains, which have traditionally relied on a highly processed supply chain to deliver affordable, consistent menu items at massive scale.
However, some chains are finding ways to make "clean label" changes without sacrificing their core value proposition. McDonald‘s "Fresh Beef" initiative is a prime example. In 2018, the company switched from frozen to fresh beef in all Quarter Pounder burgers at the majority of US locations. This change required significant investment in the supply chain, including new refrigerated trucks and updated kitchen prep procedures.
But according to the company, the switch to Fresh Beef was a resounding success. In the year following the roll-out, McDonald‘s saw a 30% increase in Quarter Pounder sales, and a 3% increase in overall store foot traffic. This initiative clearly resonated with consumers seeking fresher, less processed fast food options.
The Pros and Cons of Processing
So does this mean that all food processing is inherently bad? Not necessarily. It‘s important to recognize that food processing exists along a spectrum, and that different levels of processing can have both benefits and drawbacks:
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Minimal processing (washing, cutting, packaging produce) poses little nutritional risk and can actually boost accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables by extending shelf life
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Moderate processing (freezing, cooking, pasteurization) can make food safer through pathogen reduction, as well as more affordable and convenient
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Heavy processing (refining, hydrogenating, artificial additives) is where we tend to see more negative health impacts like added sugars, unhealthy fats, excess sodium, and low fiber
In the context of fast food, some degree of processing is always going to be necessary to achieve the speed, consistency, and affordability consumers expect. Highly perishable ingredients like fresh beef and produce are more costly and challenging to work with at a national scale than shelf-stable processed items.
However, as McDonald‘s Fresh Beef initiative demonstrates, it is possible to find a middle ground between fully unprocessed ingredients (impractical for fast food) and ultra-processed ingredients (unpalatable to health-conscious consumers). By making strategic swaps toward fresher, cleaner ingredients where possible, fast food chains can stay relevant to modern tastes while still delivering on their core brand promises.
The Bottom Line
So back to our original question: Is McDonald‘s processed food? Based on the evidence, it‘s fair to say that McDonald‘s menu includes both processed and unprocessed elements, with many core items like burgers and eggs falling somewhere in the middle of the processing spectrum.
While McDonald‘s may not be serving up farm-to-table cuisine anytime soon, the company has demonstrated a real commitment in recent years to reducing artificial ingredients, sourcing more sustainable raw materials, and investing in fresher, less processed menu options. These efforts have positioned McDonald‘s as a leader among fast food chains in the nascent clean eating movement.
Of course, it‘s important to remember that even McDonald‘s relatively less-processed options are still fast food, and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Cooking meals from scratch with mostly whole, unprocessed ingredients is always going to be the best choice for optimal health.
But for those occasions when life calls for a quick, affordable meal on the go, conscious consumers can feel good knowing that McDonald‘s is taking steps to provide cleaner, fresher options – even if those options are still enjoyed alongside a side of fries. Change in the fast food industry tends to happen slowly, but with each artificial ingredient phased out and each fresh produce item added, McDonald‘s moves the needle in a promising direction.
