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McDonalds Menu

Flavor:

Big Mac®

Ingredients:

Big Mac Bun Ingredients: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Sugar, Yeast, Soybean Oil, Contains 2% Or Less: Salt, Wheat Gluten, Sesame Seeds, Potato Flour, Vinegar, Dextrose, Corn Starch, Modified Food Starch, Vegetable Proteins (Pea, Potato, Rice And/or Faba Bean), Sunflower And/or Canola Oil, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavors, May Contain One Or More Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Ascorbic Acid, Mono And Diglycerides, Enzymes), 100% Beef Patty Ingredients: 100% Pure USDA Inspected Beef; No Fillers, No Extenders. Prepared With Grill Seasoning (Salt, Black Pepper). Shredded Lettuce Big Mac Sauce Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Sweet Relish (diced Pickles, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Corn Syrup, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Chloride, Spice Extractives), Water, Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Spices, Onion Powder, Salt, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Garlic Powder, Vegetable Protein (hydrolyzed Corn, Soy And Wheat), Sugar, Caramel Color, Turmeric, Extractives Of Paprika, Soy Lecithin. Pasteurized Process American Cheese Ingredients: Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Citric Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin, Color Added. Pickle Slices Ingredients: Cucumbers, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Alum, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Extractives Of Turmeric (Color). Onions

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

The McDonald’s Menu Big Mac® earns a rating of 1 out of 5 green leaves, reflecting its position at the bottom of the scale for cleaner food options. This product is not organic and includes genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, which detracts from its overall score. The Big Mac contains a range of added sugars, including sugar, citric acid, and fructose, as well as dextrose and corn syrup, which are considered more harmful sugar variants.

Further reducing its score are the numerous potentially harmful additives present, such as natural flavors, diglycerides, enriched flour, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, sodium citrate, and caramel color. Among these, caramel color, propylene glycol, and maltodextrin are identified as known harmful additives. The use of oils deemed harmful, specifically canola and soybean oil, also impacts the product’s green leaf rating negatively. The presence of high fructose corn syrup is another significant factor leading to a reduction in score.

The Big Mac bun is made with enriched flour and includes added elements like sugar and various dough conditioners. The 100% beef patty is seasoned with salt and pepper, while the Big Mac sauce features a mix of ingredients such as soybean oil, sweet relish, egg yolks, and various flavorings and colorings. The sandwich also includes pasteurized process American cheese, which contains additives for color and texture. Pickle slices and onions are part of the assembly, with the pickles containing preservatives and artificial color.

The Big Mac’s composition reflects a product that heavily relies on processed ingredients, additives, and non-organic components. These factors contribute to its low rating on a platform focused on promoting cleaner, healthier food choices. Consumers seeking healthier alternatives are advised to consider other options that align more closely with the criteria for a higher green leaf rating.