Mcdonald's French Fries

[aeshlea]

I have heard conflicting things about McD's french fries...I read in a book that they have a dedicated fryer so that gluten-free'ers can eat the fries...but then I just read something that the 'flavoring' ingredient contains wheat. Has anyone else heard this?

[Guest keegans_mommy]

Wasn't there something huge about this on the news not too long ago? They "said" they don't coat their fries with anything so who knows.

As for dedicated fryers, I don't know 100% for sure. I was able to take my homeschooled kids on a field trip there and we were able to go in the back to view the freezers, friers and such. The fries seem to be dedicated because that is all this resturant does in those friers. The other friers are on the other side of the kitchen and those do the chicken nuggets and the buns are not even on the same wall as the friers. I am new so what do I know though I just wanted to be included in this thread LOL

[Lisa]

McD's fries have been discussed here at great length. You can do a search here to get both points of view.

With that said, the Celiac Sprue Association had deemed McD's Fries to be safe for Celiacs to consume. They do have dedicated friers.

I eat them without issue. It's a personal choice.

[welshmuv]

Hi! I'm a newbie on this site but thought I would bite the bullet and reply to a post!

I have eaten McD's french fries loads of times without any reaction! When I was on holiday in the States (I'm from the U.K) this year MacDonalds was a god send! If there was any doubt where to eat there was always McD's!

By the way anyone got any suggestions for safe restaurants in San Francisco and Las Vegas as that's where were are going on vacation next year! I know there are a few Outbacks dotted around (love that chain! They actually knew what gluten free meant which is unknown in most U.K restaurants!) but would love to try some other "SAFE" places. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[cruelshoes]

I allow my son to have the McDonald's french fries about once a month. I eat them about once a month also. Both of our antibodies are negative. We have never has a reaction to them. If we had a reaction or spike in our antibodies, I would not eat them anymore.

It is definitely a personal choice, and I understand why many people do not eat them. It was written about in Living Without last year, and they said that they were gluten-free. Here on Celiac.com the GIG said they are gluten-free.

CC is aways a risk when we eat out, and we still have to do our due diligence when ordering (asking if there is there a dedicated fryer, etc). But those concerns aside, for our family, McDonald's french fries are an occasional treat that I feel confident in. As confident as I am in any food that wasn't prepared by my own hands, that is.....

[aeshlea]

So there is wheat in them! ...hmmm..well, I guess I could have done this in the first place, duh, just check their website and see what they say. Its interesting now since people have responded to me saying they do not have any reaction..but this is what it said on their website when I checked today..

French Fries:

Potatoes, vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor (wheat and milk derivatives)*, citric acid (preservative), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), dimethylpolysiloxane (antifoaming agent)), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil ((may contain one of the following: Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, partially hydrogenated corn oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness), dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent). *CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK (Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.)

so they just come out and say there is wheat...which seems like news to me, and maybe to others who arent having a reaction. I wonder if somehow since it is a 'starting' ingredient that it basically gets processed out (I dont really know how that logic works but Im just grasping here...)...I am not sure if I will eat them though since they say they do use wheat...very interesting...

what do you guys think?

[casnco]

So there is wheat in them! ...hmmm..well, I guess I could have done this in the first place, duh, just check their website and see what they say. Its interesting now since people have responded to me saying they do not have any reaction..but this is what it said on their website when I checked today..

French Fries:

Potatoes, vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor (wheat and milk derivatives)*, citric acid (preservative), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), dimethylpolysiloxane (antifoaming agent)), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil ((may contain one of the following: Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, partially hydrogenated corn oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness), dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent). *CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK (Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.)

so they just come out and say there is wheat...which seems like news to me, and maybe to others who arent having a reaction. I wonder if somehow since it is a 'starting' ingredient that it basically gets processed out (I dont really know how that logic works but Im just grasping here...)...I am not sure if I will eat them though since they say they do use wheat...very interesting...

what do you guys think?

I want fries so bad I can taste them!!!! But I am afraid of getting any contamination. I am just to sensitive. It is not worth it. I only eat fries at a fair were all they sell is hand cut fries. One would think that would make me much thinner than I am. But alas, chocolate still is gluten-free and my hips show it!!!

[happygirl]

The process that they use removes the gluten protein.

After this information came out, the Celiac groups had independent (i.e., non-McD's) testing done on the fries, and they were gluten free.

Always check to make sure that they truly do use a dedicated fryer.

[Juliebove]

I won't eat them. I don't have a gluten issue. Daughter does. And we're both allergic to milk. There *is* milk in them.

[wolfie]

I have eaten them on occasion without any reaction. DS eats them more frequently than I do and his bloodwork was negative when checked not too long ago. Not only was his bloodwork negative, but the Dr was shocked at how quickly his ttg levels went from extremely high to normal. I would say that he eats them 1-2 times per month.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

I eat them on occasion.

I have noticed some stomach issues with them, but its not a full blown Celiac reaction (something that many Celiacs confuse).

Some of us need to understand that not every single tummy issue is Celiac-based. It might just be too much oil or fried food reaction or just an upset tummy.

Some of us just can't handle fried foods as well as others.

[kbtoyssni]

I want fries so bad I can taste them!!!! But I am afraid of getting any contamination. I am just to sensitive. It is not worth it. I only eat fries at a fair were all they sell is hand cut fries. One would think that would make me much thinner than I am. But alas, chocolate still is gluten-free and my hips show it!!!

Red Robin has gluten-free fries. And I make Ore Ida brand fries at home. It's been so long since I've had McDonalds that I can't remember how the fries taste, but Ore Ida is delicious to me!

[Silly Yak Pete]

I miss McDonalds' It has been 3 years since I had them last when I was first diagnosed. Wish they would make a gluten free bigmac here in the US.

[mommy2two99]

I eat McD's fries once or twice a month, too, without any problem. I have a very severe reaction when I get glutened, so I believe they are okay. But, like others, I am new at this, so what do I know?!?! Not much!!

[jebas]

I did some research on McDonald's a while back. To my understanding, the manufacturer of the beef flavoring removes all of the proteins from the wheat, and uses just the starches. However, I can't imagine that this process is completely clean. I have read about people with allergies to corn having problems with Xanthan Gum which uses the same type of process for corn starch.

If you are really looking for fries, you can try Chick-fil-A, Burger King, and Krystals. All three of those restaurants use separate fryers for the fries, but I wouldn't recommend getting a meal at the latter two.

[hathor]

Well, even if I could eat the things (problems with wheat, milk, and soy, and with consuming much fat), I wouldn't make a regular habit of it. They have trans fat (unless you live in a place with a trans fat ban). Probably hidden MSG too in that "natural beef flavoring" (along with the wheat and the milk) to make you like them so much ... I don't know that anyone has ever reacted to what is left of the wheat. McDonalds is just trying to avoid another lawsuit over the content of their fries. They had claimed the fries were vegetarian ... now they mention the "natural beef flavoring" (which is heaven knows what really.)

[2Boys4Me]

If you are really looking for fries, you can try Chick-fil-A, Burger King, and Krystals. All three of those restaurants use separate fryers for the fries, but I wouldn't recommend getting a meal at the latter two.

Make sure you double check your Burger King. None of the Burger Kings I've encountered have dedicated fryers. All the ones near us cook onion rings in the same fryer as the fries.

[Nutmegger]

I've never had an issue with them, though it's not like I eat them a lot. They're useful when I'm travelling, though, which is very frequently. I can always stop at McDonald's and get french fries, or go to Wendy's and get a baked potato with just sour cream and chives.

[gfp]

Here on Celiac.com the GIG said they are gluten-free.

Its really as matter of how much...

The bottom line is that the FULL report of the analysis McDonalds did found them to contain BOTH gluten and casein ... you have to read it all through because the intro discusses the less sensitive ELISA testing but of you read down to the more enstive RAST testing then they tested positive then the report was written to make it SEEM they don't contain gluten unless you read it all the way through (and most people don't because the intro part has a big technical section after it which most people don't want to read once they figure the into which says the ELISA was negative means they don't contain gluten or casein.

Having said this its a small amount but then some people react to smaller amounts than others...

I also believe that little bits build up... and we all get exposed to tiny amounts (picking someones pen up after they have touched gluten then eating something) etc. so the less you introduce even in tiny amounts is always better ... I have on occasion eaten them out of desperation but usually get caught out either by these or some other desperation meal (due to being in a situation where I'm eating stuff I don't normally) or perhaps a combination of the two ...

The bottom line... they take a huge amount of effort to hide the positive RAST testing in the report... and I don't trust them coupled by the

chance something fell into the friers ... do you really think they will drain them, clean them etc. if a gluten item falls in?

[Nicky5]

If you enjoy chinese food, I would try PF Changs, it is a chain and they have a special gluten free menu. It is great.

Hi! I'm a newbie on this site but thought I would bite the bullet and reply to a post!

I have eaten McD's french fries loads of times without any reaction! When I was on holiday in the States (I'm from the U.K) this year MacDonalds was a god send! If there was any doubt where to eat there was always McD's!

By the way anyone got any suggestions for safe restaurants in San Francisco and Las Vegas as that's where were are going on vacation next year! I know there are a few Outbacks dotted around (love that chain! They actually knew what gluten free meant which is unknown in most U.K restaurants!) but would love to try some other "SAFE" places. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[RARMES]

I have heard conflicting things about McD's french fries...I read in a book that they have a dedicated fryer so that gluten-free'ers can eat the fries...but then I just read something that the 'flavoring' ingredient contains wheat. Has anyone else heard this?

I have had celiac for 5 months now and after researching mcdonalds web site the fries definetly have wheat.As well as their grilled chicken has wheat.So i dont eay at mcdonalds now.

[RARMES]

I've never had an issue with them, though it's not like I eat them a lot. They're useful when I'm travelling, though, which is very frequently. I can always stop at McDonald's and get french fries, or go to Wendy's and get a baked potato with just sour cream and chives.

I researched Wendys and found that their chili,baked potatoe with sour cream and chives,and baked potatoe with broccoli and cheese are gluten free.Their fries are also gluten free.I also love their low carb burgers,which is a burger without bread.

[Lisa]

I researched Wendys and found that their chili,baked potatoe with sour cream and chives,and baked potatoe with broccoli and cheese are gluten free.Their fries are also gluten free.I also love their low carb burgers,which is a burger without bread.

Hummmmm.........not too sure that Wendy's fries are gluten free. Better look that one up again because we don't want to be responsible for false information and someone gets sick.

[pugluver31902]

Wendy's fries are gluten free IF they are cooked in a dedicated fryer. Some restraunts have them, some don't. But the fry is potatoe and they use vegetable oil.

[Lisa]

Wendy's fries are gluten free IF they are cooked in a dedicated fryer. Some restraunts have them, some don't. But the fry is potatoe and they use vegetable oil.

But I don't think that Wendy's is particularly known for their dedicated fryers. I enjoy their chili and baked potato and some salads. They have more of a selection than most fast foods.