Updated 2026-05-05
McDonald's
Check what is in the current McDonald's menu before you order.
Menu items in current report
105
Menu items that contain additives
84%
Menu items that contain seed oils
50%
Additives
List of additives used at McDonald's
Potassium sorbateLimited · Restricted - Canada meat restrictionUsed in 46 menu itemsDextroseModerateUsed in 40 menu itemsMono- and diglyceridesLimited · Pending - CA school-food rulemakingUsed in 40 menu itemsSodium phosphateModerate · Restricted - EU use limitsUsed in 30 menu itemsCaramel colourLimited · Restricted - TX school meals + FDA reviewUsed in 28 menu itemsMaltodextrinLimitedUsed in 27 menu itemsCarrageenanLimited · Restricted - EU jelly-cup restrictionUsed in 25 menu itemsXanthan GumLimited · Restricted - EU use limitsUsed in 25 menu itemsHigh-fructose corn syrupModerateUsed in 23 menu itemsSodium acid pyrophosphateModerate · Restricted - Allowed with use limitsUsed in 17 menu itemsSodium benzoateLimited · Pending - Federal reassessment billUsed in 17 menu itemsSodium aluminum phosphateLimited · Restricted - Use limits; FSANZ reviewUsed in 16 menu itemsDATEMLimited · Restricted - Texas label lawUsed in 15 menu itemsPolysorbate 80Limited · Pending - CA school UPF reviewUsed in 14 menu itemsCarboxymethylcelluloseLimited · Restricted - EU infant-use restrictedUsed in 12 menu itemsEDTALimited · Restricted - EU use limitsUsed in 11 menu itemsPropylene glycol alginateLow · Restricted - US use limitsUsed in 9 menu itemsMonosodium glutamateLimited · Restricted - EU use limitsUsed in 7 menu itemsArtificial flavouringLimited · Banned - Specific flavors delistedUsed in 6 menu itemsArtificial food colouringHigh · Banned - Red 3 revoked; school bansUsed in 5 menu itemsSodium nitriteModerate · Restricted - High-purity sale restrictedUsed in 5 menu itemsAspartameLimited · Restricted - LA school-food restrictionUsed in 1 menu itemSaccharinLimited · Pending - CA school UPF reviewUsed in 1 menu itemSulfitesModerate · Restricted - Restricted on raw produceUsed in 1 menu item
Seed oils
List of seed oils used at McDonald's
Soybean OilLimited · Restricted - Broad use is allowed; Louisiana requires a future food-service disclosure notice for seed oils, including soybean oil, but no sale ban was found.Used in 49 menu itemsCanola OilLow · Restricted - LA seed-oil disclosureUsed in 27 menu itemsCorn OilLimited · Restricted - LA seed-oil disclosureUsed in 11 menu itemsSunflower OilLimited · Restricted - LA seed-oil noticeUsed in 6 menu itemsCottonseed OilLimited · Restricted - LA seed-oil noticeUsed in 3 menu items