Mac now the real thing

Washington – McDonald’s USA said its iconic burgers, including the Big Mac and the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, no longer have artificial preservatives, artificial flavours or added colours from artificial sources.

Only the pickle slices still contain an artificial preservative, the American fast food giant said, noting that “customers are able to skip it”.

The changes are going into effect in all 14 000 US restaurants, the company said.

It’s a big attempt for McDonald’s – oft vilified as a champion of junk food – to attract or retain customers concerned about their diets.

“From switching to 100% fresh beef in our quarter-pound burgers, cooked when ordered, to removing artificial preservatives in our Chicken McNuggets, and committing to cage-free eggs by 2025, we have made significant strides in evolving the quality of our food,” said Chris Kempczinski, the company’s US president.

Almost two-thirds of the company’s burgers and sandwiches are free of artificial products.

The move is a response to a growing trend of health-consciousness in the US. –