Does McDonald’s Food Contain MSG? Myth Busted

McDonald’s is loved by many for its tasty and affordable meals. People wonder why McDonald’s food is so good. Some even ask if McDonald’s uses MSG in their food or not. In this article, we will explore – does McDonald’s food contain MSG. So, let’s find out the truth.

As per the official website of McDonald’s, its food items don’t contain MSG. However, all the McCrispy sandwiches contain MSG when you look at their ingredients list. Their fries, nuggets, and burgers are also completely MSG-free.

McDonald’s is famous for its menu items, such as yummy burgers, crispy fries, and tasty chicken nuggets. Many people also wonder why McDonald’s is so cheap. Also, there has been a rumor about McDonald’s using MSG in their food, which is of low quality.    

So, this article is all about which food items contain MSG and why MSG concerns many people. Keep reading the blog and learn more about McDonald’s debunking the MSG controversies. 

What Is MSG & Does It Make Food Taste Better?

MSG is a food additive and a flavor enhancer. It intensifies the savory taste of the food. Above that, it adds an umami taste to the food and makes the dishes taste extra delicious. 

So, there is a debate on the internet about whether MSG makes food taste better. Well, MSG makes food taste better and has been added to the food for more than 100 years. MSG is known for its salty and meaty flavor profile.

However, MSG is also an unhealthy natural food element that can cause serious health issues. Many have reported that MSG causes headaches, nausea, and other harmful diseases. 

According to the FDA, using a proportional amount of MSG in food is not harmful. But when the consumption of MSG is higher, it can create health issues.   

Does McDonald’s Use MSG In Its Food?

According to McDonald’s website, it doesn’t use MSG in most of its food. However, according to the ingredient list, all their crispy chicken sandwiches contain MSG. 

Apart from this, McDonald’s also uses another flavor enhancer in their foods to make them taste better. For example, their burgers contain dextrose, which is a natural flavor. And their chicken nuggets include ingredients like spices, lemon juice solids, and rosemary extract. 

Does McDonald’s Fries Contain MSG?

No, McDonald’s fries do not contain MSG. According to its ingredient list on the official website, it does not mention monosodium glutamates.

However, it has been noted that McDonald’s fries are fried in vegetable oil, which contains hydrolyzed proteins and glutamates. This hydrolyzed protein contains about 10-15% of MSG. 

Hence, there can be a chance that fries can contain MSG. But McDonald’s does not directly add MSG to their fries. If you want to make McDonald’s French fries at home, you can make one without adding MSG.

Does McDonald’s Burger Contain MSG?

No, McDonald’s burgers do not contain MSG. Their official website claims that their burgers are free from the additive.

Moreover, the burgers are prepared with simple ingredients at McDonald’s. They have various burgers such as hamburgers, cheeseburgers, McChicken burgers, quarter pounder burgers, chicken McGriddle, and much more that do not contain MSG. 

If you want to make a preservative-free recipe for McDonald’s hamburgers at home, you can try this recipe.

Does McDonald’s Nuggets Contain MSG?

No, McDonald’s nuggets do not contain MSG. The ingredients list for chicken nuggets only includes white boneless chicken, water, vegetable oil, enriched flour, bleached wheat flour, yellow corn flour, vegetable starch, salt, spices, sugar, and natural flavors.

Since MSG is not listed in the ingredients, the nuggets are safe to consume. So, if you are dealing with sensitivity to MSG, it’s good news that you can enjoy nuggets at McDonald’s.   

Additionally, you can try this recipe if you want to make McDonald’s chicken nuggets at home.

Why Is MSG In Food A Concern For People?

MSG is a food additive that can be harmful to your health. The researchers have found that it adversely affects human health when consumed in more proportion.

We cannot deny that MSG is a flavor enhancer in many foods, especially Chinese foods. However, some people have reported that MSG causes headaches and nausea.  

People call it harmful also because it’s linked to an increased risk of metabolic disorders, high blood sugar levels, and diabetes. Additionally, MSG can cause obesity issues, PCOD conditions, and food allergies too. Therefore, MSG in food is a concern for many people. 

Is McDonald’s Planning To Add MSG To Its Food In The Future?

No, McDonald’s is not planning to add MSG to its food in the future as of now. However, currently, only the chicken sandwiches from McDonald’s contain MSG.

So, some health-conscious people want to stick to the burger options at McDonald’s other than chicken sandwiches. 

Conclusion

So, here we come to the end of this blog. We learned that MSG is a food enhancer and is added to food to bring out the umami and savory flavors of the food. It’s a natural additive in many foods, like protein-rich foods, cheeses, and vegetables. 

McDonald’s does not use MSG in most food items except chicken sandwiches. The fast-food chain confirms that they do not plan to include MSG in the future in their food items, looking at the health concerns of people. 

Similarly, if you want to learn more about if McDonald’s food is processed, you can find the honest answer on our blog. Apart from that, you can also check out where does McDonald’s get their meat from.

Some McDonald’s fans ask exciting questions on the internet, like if McDonald’s offers free water or not, to which we have a compelling answer. Keep coming up on the blog to read about your favorite fast-food chains. 

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