Ever since I found out McDonalds contains beef fat in their fries and are not halal, I’ve hardly gone to eat there. A filet-o-fish is not the same without their fries. Their french fries were the best!
I was in a hurry today and saw a Mcdonalds on the way, so I stopped there for lunch. I debated what I should get besides just a fish sandwich. I don’t eat meat that’s not halal or kosher, so my choices are fairly limited.
I opted for their Fruit and Yogurt parfait. I figured it’s a better option than getting some junk like cookies or apple pies…and their parfait is delicious! While I was eating the yogurt parfait, I remembered that I once heard that it’s not halal since it contains gelatin. I decided to do some research myself and found out that the gelatin in their yogurt is kosher! That means for most Muslims, it’s safe to consume.
Below are the ingredients from the McDonald’s website:
Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait (7 oz)ยป:
Low Fat Yogurt: Cultured pasteurized Grade A reduced fat milk, sugar, food starch-modified, fructose, whey protein concentrate, corn starch, kosher gelatin, natural (plant source) and artificial flavor, potassium sorbate (added to maintain freshness), artificial color.
CONTAINS: MILK.
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How is their fish sandwich kosher? It is cooked in the deep fryer isn’t it? Just curious.
Debbie, the fish sandwich might not be kosher, but as far as I know it’s halal since it’s seafood and they don’t fry any pork products in the same fryer.
really? i thought they fried everything in the same pan? is the fish is done in its own pan or just not with the pork products?
also, is there somewhere i can double check about the fries> like McDonald’s website?
sorry for just asking more questions and not answering your’s. i was actually wondering about whether Kosher Gelatin was eatable or not [that was how i found your site].
if you do find out about whether is can be eaten or not, please let me know :]
Salam
W’salaam Sanah,
As far as I’m aware, there are no pork products that they fry, especially in the same basket as their filet-o-fish. Regarding kosher gelatin, there are various opinions depending on the scholar that you ask. My opinion is that it’s ok for Muslims to consume, but you should do your own research.
The McDonalds french fries in the US, still use beef fat according to their site:
http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/ingredientslist.pdf
French Fries:
Potatoes, vegetable oil (canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor [wheat and milk derivatives]*, citric acid [preservative]), dextrose, sodium acid
pyrophosphate (maintain color), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil (Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to
preserve freshness). Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent.