Allergy Information for McDonald's Products

McDonald's publishes information regarding potential food allergens found in their products online and in nutritional pamphlets and posters. However, the fast-food restaurant acknowledges that recipes often change and this published information can become outdated or inaccurate quickly. Although it may be useful to view this information to get a general idea of which items may contain specific food allergens, always verify the information with a McDonald's employee before placing your order.

Those with an allergy to wheat, or those trying to follow a gluten-free diet, should avoid several items found on the McDonald's menu. As of January 2011, this includes the Big Mac bun and sauce, Chicken Selects premium breast strips, fish filet patty, flour tortilla, grilled chicken breast filet, honey wheat roll, McChicken patty, McRib bun, premium bun, regular bun, sesame seed bun, Southern style crispy chicken breast filet, french fries, Chicken McNuggets, barbecue sauce, sweet 'n sour sauce, butter-garlic croutons, grilled chicken breast filet, hash browns, bagel, biscuits, English muffin, griddle cakes and hotcakes. Dessert items, such as Oreo cookie pieces, Cinnamon Melts, baked hot apple pie, McDonaldland cookies, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies and the ice cream cones may contain wheat.

Those with a milk allergy should use caution when eating at McDonald's. Some unexpected items, such as the french fries, may contain trace amounts of milk. Some of these menu items include the fish filet patty, all cheeses, spicy buffalo sauce, butter-garlic croutons, vanilla lowfat yogurt, candied walnuts, Newman's Own Creamy Southwest dressing, Newman's Own Creamy Caesar dressing, Newman's Own Low Fat Family Recipe Italian dressing, Newman's Own Ranch dressing, whipped margarine, hash browns, biscuits, breakfast sauce, griddle cakes, hotcakes, light cream, sausage and scrambled egg mix and the sausage patty. Many dessert items also contain milk, including the Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait, low-fat granola, low-fat caramel dip, strawberry sundae, hot caramel sundae, hot caramel topping, hot fudge Sundae, hot fudge topping, McFlurry with M&Ms candies, McFlurry with Oreo cookies, Cinnamon Melts, chocolate chip cookie, oatmeal raisin cookie, sugar cookie, Triple Thick Shakes, vanilla reduced fat ice cream, caramel drizzle, chocolate drizzle, whipped cream and all flavors of the McDonald's smoothies. Milk is also often used as an ingredient in various McCafe beverages. This information is current as of January 2011.

As of January 2011, several McDonald's items contain soy or soy lecithin ingredients. This includes the Angus beef patty and seasoning, Big Mac bun and sauce, grilled chicken breast filet, honey wheat roll, liquid margarine, McRib bun, pasteurized process American cheese, regular bun, sautéed mushrooms, sesame seed bun, barbecue sauce, Sweet 'N Sour sauce, butter garlic croutons, candied walnuts, grilled chicken breast filet, Newman's Own Lowfat Family Recipe Italian Dressing, whipped margarine, bagel, biscuits, breakfast sauce, egg, folded egg, scrambled egg, English muffin, griddle cakes, hotcakes, low fat granola, hot fudge topping, Oreo Cookie pieces, baked hot apple pie, Cinnamon Melts, McDonaldland cookies, chocolate chip cookie, oatmeal raisin cookie, sugar cookie, ice cream cones and the chocolate drizzle. Those with an allergy to soy or soy lecithin should avoid these items.

Many of the sauces at McDonald's contain egg. As of January 2011, this includes the Big Mac sauce, mayonnaise dressing, ranch sauce, honey mustard sauce, tartar sauce, hot mustard sauce, Newman's Own Creamy Southwest dressing, Newman's Own Creamy Caesar Dressing, Newman's Own Ranch Dressing and the breakfast sauce. Other menu items contain egg ingredients include any breakfast item with the word "egg" in the name, the hotcakes, Cinnamon Melts, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, sugar cookies and McDonaldland cookies. The milkshakes served at McDonald's also may contain egg ingredients, especially during the holiday season when the eggnog shakes are available.