Updated 2026-07-05
McDonald's
Check what is in the current McDonald's menu before you order.
Menu items available
107
Menu items that contain additives
85%
Menu items that contain seed oils
50%
Additives
List of additives used at McDonald's
Modified food starchLimitedUsed in 47 menu itemsPotassium sorbateLimitedUsed in 46 menu itemsDextroseModerateUsed in 40 menu itemsMono- and diglyceridesLimitedUsed in 40 menu itemsSodium phosphateModerate · Restricted - USUsed in 31 menu itemsCaramel colourLimited · Restricted - CaliforniaUsed in 29 menu itemsCalcium phosphatesLimitedUsed in 26 menu itemsCarrageenanLimitedUsed in 25 menu itemsHigh-fructose corn syrupModerate · Restricted - CodexUsed in 25 menu itemsXanthan GumLimitedUsed in 25 menu itemsMaltodextrinLimitedUsed in 24 menu itemsMonocalcium phosphateLimitedUsed in 21 menu itemsSodium benzoateLimited · Restricted - CanadaUsed in 18 menu itemsSodium acid pyrophosphateModerate · Restricted - Allowed with use limitsUsed in 17 menu itemsDATEMLimitedUsed in 16 menu itemsGuar gumLimited · Banned - EU infant-use restrictedUsed in 16 menu itemsPolysorbate 80LimitedUsed in 13 menu itemsSodium aluminum phosphateLimitedUsed in 13 menu itemsCarboxymethylcelluloseLimited · Restricted - EU infant-use restrictedUsed in 12 menu itemsEDTALimitedUsed in 12 menu itemsPropylene glycol alginateLowUsed in 10 menu itemsSodium stearoyl lactylateLimitedUsed in 8 menu itemsPaprika and turmeric oleoresinsLimitedUsed in 7 menu itemsArtificial flavouringLimitedUsed in 6 menu itemsBeta-carotene / β-apo-8′-carotenalLimitedUsed in 6 menu itemsPropylene glycolLimitedUsed in 6 menu itemsSodium nitriteModerateUsed in 6 menu itemsArtificial food colouringHigh · Banned - Red 3 revoked; school bansUsed in 5 menu itemsMonosodium glutamateLimited · Restricted - US-GUUsed in 4 menu itemsSodium erythorbateLimitedUsed in 4 menu itemsAnnattoLimitedUsed in 3 menu itemsNatamycinLimitedUsed in 2 menu itemsAspartameLimitedUsed in 1 menu itemDipotassium phosphateModerateUsed in 1 menu itemSaccharinLimited · Banned - Revoked in USUsed in 1 menu itemSulfitesModerate · Restricted - AUUsed 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 50 menu itemsCanola OilLowUsed in 26 menu itemsCorn OilLimitedUsed in 11 menu itemsSunflower OilLimited · Restricted - LouisianaUsed in 8 menu itemsCottonseed OilLimitedUsed in 3 menu items