McDonald’s USA announced on Thursday they’ll be making some of their biggest burgers free of artificial preservatives, but Australia will not be following suit.
Menu classics affected by the change in the US include the Cheeseburger, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese and the Big Mac.
While McDonald’s Australia is yet to make the same commitment, they said they’re ‘taking steps’ and introducing a whole new wholemeal wrap.
Classic favourites including the cheeseburger, Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Big Mac will no longer contain artificial preservatives, flavours or colouring in all 14,000 US restaurants (image of classic burgers)
‘In Australia, we’re taking steps to remove artificial colours, flavours and preservatives from our menu wherever possible.’ a McDonald’s spokesperson said.
‘Our most recent focus has been introducing a number of Happy Meal items free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, including a new wholemeal tortilla wrap for our grilled chicken snack wrap, Petit Miam strawberry yoghurt and our McNuggets.’
The recent US ingredient changes affect all 14,000 restaurants in the country, as the chain continues to target more health-conscious eaters.
‘We understand that now more than ever, people care about their food – where it comes from, what goes into it and how it is prepared,’ Linda VanGosen, McDonald’s Vice President of Menu Innovation said in a statement.
‘We are committed to make changes to our menu our guests feel good about.
McDonald’s has been gradually removing preservatives from its menu for several years in an effort to appeal to more health-conscious buyers.
The announcement comes after Australia followed suit with the US with the gradual phasing out of plastic straws and going cage-free in 2017, but have yet to make any comment on their plans to go preservative free.
In 2016, McDonald’s US removed high-fructose corn syrup from its buns and took artificial preservatives out of its Chicken McNuggets.
The Chicago-based company says around one-third of its sandwiches still have artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, including Egg McMuffins and Filet-O-Fish.
McDonald’s Australia have yet to make an announcement on making the same artificial preservative changes (stock image)