Veggie options at quick-service restaurant chains: an update on menu items at popular fast food and quick casual restaurant chains

Vegetarian Journal, April-June, 2008 by Jeanne Yacoubou

When we inquired about certain menu items in late 2006, McDonald's told us that it is possible to order just a bun with certain condiments. However, it is most likely not possible to order a customized salad (for example, without the bacon bits) since salad preparation occurs in the morning. Restaurant patrons are encouraged to inquire at particular McDonald's restaurants if they wish to order a customized menu item.

McDonald's told us that the enzymes in the American and shredded Parmesan cheeses were animal-derived. We were also told that the L-cysteine in the Honey Wheat Roll and the Baked Apple Pie was also animal-derived, specifically from duck feathers. Concerning the microingredients that are currently vegetable-derived, McDonald's emphasized that "... although we have confirmed these sources with our current suppliers' formulas, we cannot guarantee that these ingredients will remain of vegetable sources in the future."

In July 2007, 'kosher gelatin' was listed as an ingredient in the yogurt of the Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait and the Fruit and Walnut Salad served at McDonald's. In late August 2007, the writer was told that the gelatin was "from an animal source" and that the natural flavors in the yogurt were animal-derived.

The information below was taken from the McDonald's website Ingredient Statement:

Other Breakfast Foods

The Biscuits are made with milk. The Hash Browns are listed as containing "natural beef flavor" that is further described as containing milk. All other breakfast foods, except the English muffin, contain eggs or dairy. The Low-Fat Granola contains honey and sugar. The Whipped Margarine contains whey.

Other Lunch/Dinner Foods

All of the salad dressings, burger sauces, and nugget sauces contain animal ingredients, eggs, dairy, and/or ingredients of non-reported sources except the Sweet 'n Sour Sauce, Newman's Own[R] Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette, and Newman's Own[R] Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing. The Butter Garlic Croutons contain dairy. The Big Mac[R], regular, and sesame seed buns appear to be free of animal ingredients, although they do contain sodium stearoyl lactylate of a non-reported source. The Snack Wrap[R] tortilla contains sugar. The Chili Lime Tortilla Strips contain sugar. The Southwest Vegetable Blend appears free of animal ingredients.

Desserts and Beverages

The Baked Apple Pie contains L-cysteine of an animal source. The Cinnamon Melts contain eggs and dairy as well as sodium stearoyl lactylate and polysorbate 60, both of non-reported sources. The Apple Dippers appear to be free of animal ingredients. The plain McDonaldland[R] Cookies appear to be all-vegetable, too, although they contain sugar. All other cookies, including the Sugar Cookie, contain eggs and dairy. The Minute Maid[R] Apple Juice Box and orange juice appear to be free of animal ingredients.

Papa John's

The VRG requested specific ingredient information from Papa John's in July 2007. In response, we were sent an updated Product Ingredients List (not available on the chain's website) and told they were researching answers. As of this writing, we have not heard back. Consequendy, information contained in this entry is taken from the Papa John's website and its Ingredient Statement.