Allergen Guide for McDonald’s Menu Items in USA

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

FAQs

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.