McDonald's announces big changes for hamburgers, ditch preservatives

Those who visit McDonald's looking for a conservative meal experience will now find something close enough if they order a hamburger – provided they pop (anyway) the pickle.

On Wednesday, the global fast food chain announced that it was removing the colors, flavors and artificial preservatives from most burgers on its menu, including the use of a type of different cheese on the cheeseburgers.

"By opting for 100% fresh beef in our quarter-pound burgers, properly cooked to order, removing artificial preservatives in our chicken McNuggets and committing ourselves to making cage-free eggs by 2025, we have made great strides in the quality of our food, "said McDonald's USA president Chris Kempczinski in a statement.

These changes are impacting two-thirds of McDonald's hamburgers and sandwiches currently available across the country, including the Big Mac and the Quarter Pounder. In addition to the gherkins used by the chain, which contain preservatives, most sandwiches no longer contain any artificial preservatives, artificial flavors and no added color from artificial sources.

The chain said the phasing out of these artificial ingredients should not lead to higher prices, but franchise owners have the right to increase menu prices to offset the higher costs of ingredients .

According to a McDonald's representative, the change affects all 14,000 American restaurants.

Other menu items (aside from this pickle) that will continue to contain artificial ingredients include Egg McMuffin; bacon, egg and cheese biscuit; McGriddles with bacon, eggs and cheese and sandwich with fish fillet.

But are these changes really so important? "I'm glad companies are creating products without preservatives, artificial flavors and colors," Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator of Better Than Dieting and author of "Read It Before Eating," said today. 39; hui Food. "These are not helpful steps towards making healthier products."

However, consumers must pay attention to what is left in the product. "The artificial preservative has been removed from the bun, but the bun is still [made from white flour] and refined and not whole grains, said Taub-Dix. "The supply of whole grains would have been an even bigger step in the right direction."

She added, "This is not just the case for McDonald's – this message is true for many fast food restaurants. In general, fast food restaurants and fast food restaurants have improved some dishes by offering salads and less sweetened portions. But the less healthy dishes are always the ones I see advertised as having the lowest special prices. "

A change that the nutritionist would like to see among fast food companies? Healthier items at lower prices. "I'm not quite sure I saw a" buy and a "salad!" said Taub-Dix.