McDonald's eliminates artificial additives from its burgers

McDonald's has a mission to eliminate artificial ingredients from its menu. Even the special Big Mac sauce gets a new look.

The fast food company, which hopes to attract more health-conscious consumers to its auto market, announced Wednesday changes to its most popular burgers.

Its seven classic burgers – hamburger, cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, McDouble, Quarter Pounder with cheese, Double Quarter Pounder with cheese and Big Mac – will no longer contain preservatives, flavor or artificial coloring.

The change affects every part of the sandwich, bun, cheese and sauce.

McDonalds (MCD) stated that he removed components like calcium propionate, an artificial preservative, from his loaves and eliminated sorbic acid, a preservative, from his American cheese.

The iconic Big Mac Sauce is also being reformulated. McDonald's stated that it was removing artificial preservatives, including potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and disodium calcium EDTA, without "sacrificing this characteristic taste".

But something that does not change? Gherkin These still contain an artificial preservative.

"This development demonstrates our commitment to lead with the customer and build a better McDonald's," said McDonald's US President Chris Kempczinski in a statement.

McDonald's is following an industry trend towards healthier foods. Companies like Taco Bell, Subway and Panera Bread have recently decided to remove artificial ingredients from their menus.

In 2016, McDonald's eliminated artificial preservatives from its McNuggets and abandoned high fructose corn syrup in its buns.

Earlier this year, the company replaced frozen beef with fresh beef in its Quarter Pounders and rejuvenated Happy Meal offerings with healthier options, such as milk.

CNNMoney (New York) First published on September 27, 2018: 10h04 ET