Allergen Guide for McDonald’s Menu Items in USA

Cheeseburger and ice cream from McDonald's.

This food guide is a great resource for anyone who enjoys a Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, or Baked Apple Pie, but wants to avoid specific ingredients due to food allergens.

The next time you’re planning a quick stop at McDonald’s, check this comprehensive allergen menu for items made with eggs, fish, milk, nuts, sesame, soy, or wheat.

The final section of this report provides a brief overview of the nine major allergens that commercial food processors are required to declare when foods are made with certain ingredients.

Ingredients information is sourced from the fast food giant and based on McDonald’s menu options at locations in the United States.

Table of select McDonald's fast food menu items with marks indicating food allergens.

McDonald’s Allergen Information Guide

The following section lists McDonald’s U.S. food made with one or more major allergens.

Recipes and food product formulations may differ by location. Individuals with food sensitivities or allergies should contact the manager of their preferred McDonald’s location to request the most current ingredient information.

Breakfast

Loyal McDonald’s guests are familiar with the famous Egg McMuffin sandwich and biscuit breakfast options.

The Big Breakfast is more than a single sandwich. It’s a heartier meal option served with scrambled eggs, hash browns, a biscuit, and a sausage patty. It can also be upgraded to include a serving of golden brown hotcakes with butter and maple flavored syrup.

A sausage patty on its own is not made with any of the major food allergens.

Here is the list of allergens in the McMuffin, Biscuit, and McGriddle sandwiches, among other breakfast items at McDonald’s.

Allergens in McDonald’s Breakfast Menu Items

BREAKFAST ITEM

ALLERGENS

Egg McMuffin

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat (may contain sesame)

Sausage McMuffin

Milk, Soy, Wheat (may contain sesame)

Sausage McMuffin with Egg

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat (may contain sesame)

Sausage Biscuit

Milk, Soy, Wheat

Sausage Biscuit with Egg

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat

Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat

Sausage McGriddles

Milk, Soy, Wheat

Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat

Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat

Hotcakes

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat

Big Breakfast

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat

Big Breakfast with Hotcakes

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat

Sausage Burrito

Egg, Milk, Soy, Wheat

Hash Browns

Milk, Wheat

Fruit & Maple Oatmeal

Milk

In addition to milk, consumers may want to know the cranberry raisin blend in the breakfast oatmeal contains the preservative sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide contains sulfites.

McDonald's sausage biscuit sandwich
McDonald’s Sausage Biscuit sandwich

Order a McDonald’s Sausage McMuffin without the English Muffin to satisfy your craving for a savory breakfast sandwich in a reduced-carb, lower calorie meal.

Burgers

Burgers, including the classic hamburger, cheeseburger, and McDouble are made with all beef patties and served on a plain bun, which contains wheat. These burgers may also contain sesame due to possible contact with other foods.

Other burgers, including the popular Big Mac, are served on a sesame seed bun.

Here is the list of allergens for McDonald’s full menu of beef burgers.

Allergens in McDonald’s Burgers

BURGER

ALLERGENS

Big Mac

Egg, Milk, Sesame, Soy, Wheat

Classic McDonald’s Burger

Wheat

Cheeseburger

Milk, Soy, Wheat

Double Cheeseburger

Milk, Soy, Wheat

McDouble

Milk, Soy, Wheat

Quarter Pounder with Cheese

Milk, Sesame, Soy, Wheat

Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese

Milk, Sesame, Soy, Wheat

Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe

Egg, Milk, Sesame, Soy, Wheat

Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese

Milk, Sesame, Soy, Wheat

  • YOU SHOULD KNOW

Pickles contain an artificial preservative. Order the burger without pickles to avoid consuming potassium sorbate.

McDonald's Big Mac
McDonald’s Big Mac

Common allergens listed for McDonald’s food apply to all available sizes of the specific menu item.

For example, the allergens in a Quarter Pounder with Cheese is the same as the allergens in a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese. Likewise, a regular or large Oreo McFlurry contains the same allergens: milk, soy, and wheat.

Cheeseburger and ice cream from McDonald's.

Sandwiches

The following table includes chicken sandwiches and the ever popular Filet-O-Fish sandwich available at McDonald’s with the list of allergens contained in each menu item.

Allergens McDonald’s Chicken and Fish Sandwiches

SANDWICH

ALLERGENS

McChicken

Egg, Wheat (bun may also contain sesame)

McCrispy Sandwich

Milk, Wheat (bun may also contain sesame)

Spicy McCrispy

Egg, Wheat (bun may also contain sesame)

Deluxe McCrispy

Egg, Wheat (bun may also contain sesame)

Spicy Deluxe McCrispy

Egg, Wheat (bun may also contain sesame)

Filet-O-Fish

Egg, Fish, Milk, Soy, Wheat (bun may also contain sesame)

CHEESEBURGER COMPARISON REPORT

  • IMPORTANT NOTE

This guide is for general informational purposes only. Fast food chains and food suppliers may alter recipes without notice. Check McDonald’s website or ask a manager at the restaurant for the most up-to-date list of potential allergens. Neither Nutrition & Ingredients nor its staff assume any responsibility for individuals with food allergies. Consult your physician for health and dietary advice based on your individual needs.

Dairy-Free Sandwich Options

Consider the Spicy McCrispy, Deluxe McCrispy, or Spicy Deluxe McCrispy, which are served with Spicy Pepper Sauce instead of salted butter, if you’re looking for dairy free options.

In addition, the McChicken sandwich is made with mayonnaise. The ingredients contain egg and wheat, but not milk.

By comparison, a McCrispy sandwich is made with a fried chicken fillet, crinkle cut pickles, and salted butter. It’s served on a potato roll. The butter is made with milk.

Accordingly, a McCrispy is not dairy-free.

  • Spicy McCrispy is made without dairy
  • Deluxe McCrispy is made without dairy
  • Spicy Deluxe McCrispy is made without dairy
  • McChicken is made without dairy
  • McCrispy is not dairy-free
  • Filet-O-Fish is not dairy-free

The listed allergens for each sandwich are based on standard formulations and exclude any substitutions.

McNuggets and Sides

Common allergens listed for McDonald’s fries and chicken McNuggets apply to all available sizes for the menu item.

Allergens in McDonald’s Nuggets & Sides

SIDE DISH

ALLERGENS

Chicken McNuggets

Wheat

French Fries

Milk, Wheat

McCrispy Strips

Wheat

Stacks of Chicken McNuggets from McDonald's.

Dipping Sauces

Guests who enjoy dipping their order of Chicken McNuggets in BBQ sauce or Ranch dressing can review the following allergen grid for a list of the food allergens in dipping sauces.

Allergens in McDonald’s Dipping Sauces

SAUCE

ALLERGENS

Creamy Ranch Sauce

Milk

Honey Mustard Sauce

Egg

Mayonnaise

Egg

Spicy Buffalo Sauce

Milk

Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce

Soy, Wheat

Tangy Barbecue Sauce

Soy, Wheat

Chocolate milkshake with list of ingredients.

Sweets and Treats

Note that all of the milkshakes are made with a flavored syrup that contains the preservative potassium sorbate.

Here is the list of allergens in McDonald’s sweet treats.

Allergens in McDonald’s Desserts

TREAT

ALLERGENS

Baked Apple Pie

Wheat

Chocolate Shake

Milk

Hot Caramel Sundae

Milk

Hot Fudge Sundae

Milk, Soy

McFlurry with M&M’s Candies

Milk, Soy, Wheat (may contain peanuts)

McFlurry with OREO Cookies

Milk, Soy, Wheat

Strawberry Shake

Milk

Vanilla Cone

Milk, Wheat

Vanilla Shake

Milk

Check the detailed comparison of two popular fast food desserts: McDonald’s Baked Apple Pie vs Whataburger’s Apple Pie.

  • CROSS CONTACT

Cross contact with other foods (including gluten) may occur during the preparation of any menu item. As such, even foods that are not specifically made with an allergen may contain common allergens due to a risk of cross-contamination.

Kids Menu

Each kids’ combo meal includes an entree, kids-sized order of french fries, apple slices, and a small bottle of 1% lowfat milk.

Here is the list of allergens in kids’ combo meal options, famously branded as a Happy Meal.

Allergens in McDonald’s Happy Meal

MENU ITEM

ALLERGENS

Chicken Nuggets

Wheat

Hamburger

Wheat

French Fries

Milk, Wheat

1% Low Fat Milk

Milk

Spicy McCrispy chicken sandwich from McDonald's with text '530 calories'.

If you or someone in your group has food sensitivities or allergies, let the restaurant manager know before placing your McDonald’s orders. Be sure the kitchen staff is aware if you have any special dietary needs.

Coffee Drinks

Here is the list of allergens in McDonald’s coffee drinks.

Allergens in McCafe Drinks

COFFEE DRINK

ALLERGENS

Caramel Cappuccino

Milk

Caramel Frappe

Milk

Caramel Latte

Milk

Caramel Macchiato

Milk

Iced Caramel Coffee

Milk

Iced Caramel Latte

Milk

Iced Caramel Macchiato

Milk

Iced Coffee

Milk

Iced French Vanilla Coffee

Milk

Iced French Vanilla Latte

Milk

Iced Latte

Milk

Iced Mocha Latte

Milk, Soy

French Vanilla Cappuccino

Milk

French Vanilla Latte

Milk

Latte

Milk

Mocha Frappe

Milk, Soy

Mocha Latte

Milk, Soy

  • MADE WITHOUT ALLERGENS

Regular brewed roast coffee and the Americano espresso-based drink do not contain any of the regulated food allergens.

McDonald’s staff members may take great care to follow strict safety procedures during food preparation; however, McDonald’s cannot guarantee 100% safe food options.

Normal kitchen operations have limited space. Accordingly, food is prepared on shared cooking equipment. Menu items may contain or come into contact with common allergens during the preparation, cooking, and serving process due to cross contact.

Moreover, recipes, ingredients, and product formulations change without notice and may vary by location due to any changes in McDonald’s suppliers.

Individuals with food sensitivities should discuss their concerns with the manager at the local restaurant.

McDonald's chocolate milkshake with amount of macronutrients.
McDonald’s chocolate milkshake is made with milk.

FAQs

We commend McDonald’s efforts to provide a high level of transparency into all of the restaurant’s individual menu items.

  • Visit McDonald’s website and click on the Menu. Select your desired food or drink order and scroll down to review the serving sizes and nutrient content of the products.
  • Review McDonald’s summary nutrition facts tables on Nutrition & Ingredients for a great resource to quickly compare multiple menu items.

Here is a select list of recommended third-party sites that offer a great deal of information and guides about allergens in U.S. foods, food allergy stories, safe food preparation, and other helpful information.

Overview of FDA Guidelines

Current U.S. FDA NLEA regulations require commercial food processors to disclose when major allergens, including eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soybeans, tree nuts, and wheat are used in food products.

Highly refined oil, even if derived from a particular allergen group, is exempted from federal regulation. For example, refined soybean oil is not considered a common allergen.

Many foods are cooked in common preparation areas and with shared equipment. Fried foods, for example, are almost always cooked in a shared fryer with common oil.

As a result, even foods made without specific ingredients such as nuts, fish, or wheat may contain or come into contact with allergens through cross contamination.

Nutrition facts, prices, and ingredients are based on available information as of the date of publication. Restaurants and food manufacturers may change recipes or formulations without notice. Check package labels and ask the product manufacturer or restaurant for the most up-to-date information. Unless otherwise stated, %DV is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. All reports and reviews published on this site are for informational purposes only. NutritionandIngredients.com does not provide healthcare advice or dietary recommendations. Always consult your licensed physician for any healthcare or dietary advice.

Allergens, ingredients, and nutrition information source: McDonald’s. Food product images courtesy of McDonald’s. Original designs by Nutrition & Ingredients for purposes of research and commentary related to fast food nutrition.

MCDi60.

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