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McDonalds Gluten Free Menu

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There’s been a lot of controversy and discussion regarding whether or not McDonald’s oh so famous french fries are gluten free or not.

Some discussion forums say they are.

Some say they aren’t.

It even seems like McDonald’s is unsure anymore.

The Great Fry Debate

My guess is that since the french fries are cooked in the same fryers as hash browns  (which are not gluten free), McDonald’s fries aren’t gluten free primarily due to high cross contamination.

But I’ve also read that some McDonald’s use a dedicated fryer for their french fries in the U.S. in Canada.

However, these “dedicated fryers” also cook hash browns which aren’t gluten free either.

It’s so confusing.

So my guess is that McDonald’s fries are not gluten free.

You can correct me if I’m wrong by leaving a comment below.

I am totally open to hearing what you have to say about this pretty popular topic.

So just to be safe on my part, I am not going to include McDonald’s french fries in my unofficial McDonald’s gluten free menu listing.

(P.S. If fast food french fries is your thing, may I suggest try some of Burger Kings fries…they’re gluten free!)

[Insert change of topic here]

mcdonalds gluten free menu

McDonald’s Fries: gluten-free or not? That is the question…

Anyways, let’s move on to the other gluten free items that you can find at McDonald’s.

This is the McDonalds gluten free menu items that they provided me.

Let me just warn you though, the selections are limited.

If there’s something incorrect on the menu, please don’t get mad at me, but just let me know so I can fix it asap.

Thanks!

McDonalds Gluten Free Menu

Meats

  • Beef Patty with no bun
  • Breakfast Beef Steak
  • Canadian Bacon
  • Sausage
  • Scrambled Egg

Sides

  • Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait with no granola

McDonald’s Salads

McDonalds Premium Bacon Ranch Salad

McDonalds Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with grilled Chicken (gluten-free)

  • Caesar Salad w/o Chicken
  • Premium Bacon Ranch Salad
  • Premium Southwest Salad (without tortilla strips)
  • Side Salad

McDonald’s Dressings

  • Newman’s Own Creamy Caesar Dressing
  • Newman’s Own Cobb Dressing
  • Newman’s Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Newman’s Own Ranch Dressing
  • Newman’s Own Salsa

Drinks and Beverages

  • Apple Juice
  • Coffee
  • Ice Coffee
  • Hot Chocolate
  • 1% Low Fat Milk, White or Chocolate
  • Orange Juice
  • Soft Drinks
  • Sweet Tea
  • Frappe Caramel
  • Frappe Mocha
  • Frappe Chocolate Chip
  • Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie
  • Strawberry Banana Smoothie
  • Mango Pineapple Smoothie
  • Vanilla McCafe Shake
  • Chocolate McCafe Shake
  • Strawberry McCafe Shake

Desserts

  • Ice Cream Sundaes including nuts
  • McFlurry with M&M’S Candies

Sauces and Condiments 

  • Butter
  • Chicken McNugget Honey
  • Chicken McNugget Hot Mustard Sauce
  • Hotcake Syrup
  • Jam
  • Ketchup
  • Lettuce
  • Margarine
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mustard
  • Onions
  • Pickles
  • Tartar Sauce
  • Tomato
  • Apple Dippers and Low Fat Caramel Dip
  • McDonald’s Cheeses:
  • American Cheese

Discover More Gluten Free Menus!

And for a listing of over 250+ gluten free restaurant menus, check out our brand new GF Restaurants + Dining Guide!

If you enjoyed this McDonalds gluten free menu post as well as the great fry debate, please share with anyone that you know who will find this to be very beneficial.

Thanks again!

…

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Comments

    • Hey Joyce,

      The grilled chicken is gluten free. I just forgot to add it to the menu. Thanks for letting me know though!

      Reply

      • I had the Caesar salad with grilled chicken and became very sick that evening. I saw that Jonnay had posted (on April 12th) that the grilled chicken is coated in flavoring that contains wheat. I know that I am done with McDonalds.

        Reply

        • I had the Ceasars salad with grilled chicken and ceasar dressing on Monday and had a migraine for 2 1/2 days. The McDonald’s allergen and nutrition PDF didn’t indicate any wheat in any of it (I checked) but it nailed me nonetheless. That’s the only thing it could have been. That migraine made my all time worst three list. Won’t be doing that again.

          Reply

          • I had the Ceasar’s salad with grilled chicken and ceasar dressing and realized there is bacon in it. Is the bacon real or fake?!?!? If fake it would likely contain gluten…

            Reply

        • In the USA Angus seasoning , mc fries , hashbrow s and grilled chicken all have wheat or a coating containing wheat to improve flavor and/or keep them from sticking together.
          Mc fri sauce contains gluten
          Chocolate dip sauce cross contaminated from dipped cones

          There may be a few McDonalds trying out gluten free versions but most McDonolds in the USA do not use the gluten free versions
          Cross contamination also happens even with dedicated .
          When checking ingreedients using web sites make sure you are checking USA web site . Canada McDonalds do have gluten free french fries , hashbrowns and grilled chicken

          Reply

        • Peanut oil isn’t any more /less gluten free than veggie oil. And other places fry their fries separate from breaded items. Burger King does, but I stopped having those when I found d there isn’t a lot if separation in the bin under the heat lamp. Found pieces of onion rings twice. So long carb burgers only for me there.

          Reply

      • Be sure to ask them to cut the grilled chicken on a clean cutting board. Otherwise it is cut on the same board as the breaded chicken. Also in regard to the fries, from what I have been able to find out, they come to the store partially cooked and to keep them from sticking together they are coated with flour.

        Reply

    • I think you may want to look at mcdonalds website where they specifically say their hash browns and fries have no gluten – just potatoes. I’m gluten free and my first job was at mcdonalds and I can attest that hasbrowns are just potatoes…

      Reply

      • They’re definitely not just potatoes, sorry you’re wrong there. It’s stated on their ingredients list on the app.

        Reply

      • Even if they are only potatoes, they are fried in the same friers as the chicken nuggets, fish fillets which are breaded and other breaded items which causes HUGE cross contamination! And people with Celiac disease like myself or even an intolerance can/ will get very I’ll. Not cool!

        Reply

      • It actually lists that the beef flavoring in the fries comes from wheat, so it’s no longer just a cross-contamination issue.

        Reply

        • Yep. Since the vegetarians got upset over the beef tallow flavoring the fries, now they use wheat to flavor. I’m not a McDonald’s fan, anyway, especially not anymore.

          Reply

          • If you check out myth busters one of them investigate the ingredients in the French fries , and they have proven that there is weat ingredients in them

            Reply

      • McDonald’s/glutenfreemenu says French fries are gluten free and the fryers are dedicated to ff only and the hash browns are gluten free also maybe you need to check into what your eating with the fries that is making you sick. I eat them often and had hash browns yesterday @McDonalds and did not get sick.

        Reply

        • the McDonalds in Iowa that I go to have a dedicated fryer for french fries only. the manager brought me out a pkg of frozen fries and they are rolled in rice flour and are gluten free please don’t say they aren’t gf everywhere cause this is not true. I eat ff and hash browns and have no problems

          Reply

          • I am very sensitive to gluten…have eaten both hash browns and fries as well as grilled chicken and sausage patty and have never gotten sick from eating there!

            Reply

            • Yeah, I haven’t been able to eat gluten since I was three, and I’m super sensitive to it. Yet I go to McDonalds whenever I please and enjoy a very large (unhealthy, but gluten free) French Fry, as well as a hash brown every now and then

              Reply

        • the cheese at McDonald’s is not gluten free the hash browns and french fries are always cook separate the ranch dressings in the package are not gluten-free I have read the directions on them the ranch they have on the table is gluten free and your bacon in your bacon ranch salad is not gluten free. need to pay attention better to the ingredients that you’re selling as gluten free I work there and I can have a salad with grilled chicken no cheese french fries and a frappe. All gluten free

          Reply

    • No, i’m a celiac since I was born, but didn’t know it until I got tested for it. I haven’t had a problem with their french fries or hash browns ever.

      Reply

      • My daughter is the same way. This confuses me. She’s celiac and has been fine with their fries. I was told they are made in seperate fryers.

        Reply

        • I work at McDonalds and I’ve checked the fries and hash browns multiple times and never found any wheat ingredients. I also eat both and I’ve NEVER been sick from them and I’m diagnosed celiac so I think they’re fine.

          Reply

          • The issue here is hydrolyzed wheat protein. The question is how much gluten actually remains after the hydrolyzation process. People are so conditioned to see the word wheat and get all up in arms. The fact that so many with issues do eat their dries and hash browns without issue, lends itself to conclude that the levels of gluten are well below the acceptable standard to be considered gluten free, but until a testing process can give conclusive results, it’s just an educated guess.

            I think it’s Greens that uses something similar in their base green bars and such, and the levels of gluten are well below the acceptable level to be considered gluten free.

            All the preachy comments are just laughable. So many high horses in glass houses. It’s a bit pathetic actually.

            Reply

  3. I’ve never asked at McDonald’s, but my doctor said that the strawberrys they put in their parfaits are coated in flour so the won’t stick together. So you should definitely ask before ordering one.

    Reply

  4. The Mcdonalds here in Iowa uses eggs to make scrambled eggs that are NOT gluten free! The two I’ve asked told me they dont use fresh eggs and that they come pre-processed and do contain wheat flour! I would recommend asking each specific place!

    Reply

    • I agree Ginger. Even though a menu item may appear to be gluten free, it’s always important to double check.

      Reply

      • Me too. I understand that in 2006 McDoinalds changed their position on the fries, and declared that they were NOT gluten free.

        Reply

    • I eat the sausage egg burritos (obviously with out the burrito) and I have never had an issue except some bloating from the cheese. Eggs in Ohio seem to be Gluten Free.

      Reply

  6. Lot of places may offer gluten free but they arent really .i went in to Apple Bees the other day they sau
    I’d they can’t guarantee gluten free do to cross contamation. Lot of the cooks are not aware of the gluten free, Do they really worry about contamation?

    Reply

  8. I know I should back it up, but I’ve read so many blogs trying to establish a gf lifestyle that it’s blurred.
    That being said, I read on a blog that McDonald’s cannot call their fries gf not because of cross contamination but because they ADD wheat to their oil for “flavoring.” Why, oh why does one need to add MORE?

    Reply

  9. In Finland you can order any meal without gluten. It’s really cool props to mcdonalds.. I was hoping that they do that in the U.S too because I will move there one day.. What a bummer!

    Reply

        • Hi Amy,
          I don’t want to contradict you, but I guess that’s what I’m doing. Balsamic vinegar is naturally gluten free. The only vinegar that is not naturally gluten free is malt vinegar.

          Reply

        • I agree with Samantha. Balsamic Vinegar is gluten free unless it’s in a dressing that has other things added to it. This is for red and white balsamic. Malt vinegar, is of course, the one we can’t have.

          Reply

        • their pdf says the Rice Vinegar has gluten. I don’t see anything worth eating on this menu that I can safely eat. I ordered the grilled chicken salad and the chicken was coated in something crumbly brown and questionable. i didn’t eat it. 5 Guys for me!

          Reply

  10. I work at McDonalds and this does raise some concerns. People don’t pay attention to which cooker they cook hashbrowns in during the morning then the same cooker is used on the fries giving them a aftertaste.. tomorrow I will raise this issue and make sure one cooker is designated for hashbrowns another for fries and see that the grease is changed immediately.

    Reply

    • Hey thanks Colin, that would be great and I’m sure you’ll be doing all of us a huge favor (well at least those around your area at least). Thanks for the input!

      Reply

  11. I had read that the southwest style has gluten in the tortilla chips and the south west dressing has gluten as well.

    Reply

    • I did some checking and the southwest salad heres the site I found and my findings..
      http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/getnutrition/ingredientslist.pdf
      confused tho…the tortilla strips are made with corn so not sure if they are gluten free or not – can someone clarify according to the ingredients listed…also the southwest dressing according to the site doesn’t seem to have gluten in it either I believe- I am new at the gluten free thing as of recent so wondering if someone can clarify (is there a wheat term I am missing when reading this) for me if these options are in fact safe from gluten?

      heres the ingredient list off their site…
      Cilantro Lime Glaze:(on the chicken)
      Water, corn syrup solids, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, distilled vinegar, olive oil, soybean oil, freeze-dried orange juice concentrate, cilantro, salt, freeze-dried lime
      juice concentrate, xanthan gum, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives), garlic powder, propylene glycol alginate, spice, onion powder, citric acid.

      Chili Lime Tortilla Strips:
      Corn, vegetable oil (corn oil, soybean oil and/or sunflower oil), salt, maltodextrin, sugar, dried tomato, dextrose, spices, onion powder, green bell pepper powder,
      citric acid, autolyzed yeast extract, malic acid, paprika extract (color), disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, natural flavor (vegetable source), lemon extract, spice
      extractive.

      Newman’s Own® Creamy Southwest Dressing:
      Water, corn syrup solids, soybean oil, distilled vinegar, egg yolks, corn vinegar, corn starch, whey, salt, cilantro, sugar, spices, onion powder, garlic powder, apple
      cider vinegar, sour cream powder (cultured sour cream, skim milk solids, whey, sugar, citric acid, lactic acid), natural flavors (animal and vegetable source), xanthan
      gum, lactic acid, paprika, parsley.
      CONTAINS: EGG AND MILK.

      Reply

      • I eat a southwest salad at least once a week! The chips are safe! They are not fried there either! The dressing and glaze are safe also! This is my favorite ! I always check the ingredients myself before eating anywhere:)

        Reply

          • Not a gluten oriented reply, but I’ve found the salads at Wendy’s to be a ton better than McDonald’s. And if you do the survey on the receipt you can save $2 off a full size salad every once in a while.

            Reply

      • Distilled vinigar is made by distilling wheat germ so that is an unsafe item. Therefore the chicken is not safe. I will have to check but most hash browns and fries are only potatoes and maybe seasoning and are fried in a seperate vat. The concern would be the oil. I work at McDonalds and there is a way to add oil with a button. Not sure where the oil comes from.

        Reply

  12. also to help with the great fries debate – I found this…also on the above nutrition website
    .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.
    CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK.
    *(Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients).

    Reply

    • thanks lacy! I always heard that the fries were not GF and also not vegetarian and now I know why!! Why add BEEF FLAVORING to potatoes???!!!

      Reply

      • Oh, they are vegetarian. The beef flavor is referring to what the flavor ends up being — there’s no real beef anymore since they stopped using beef tallow.

        Reply

    • It also depends on where you’re located – in Canada, the fries (and oil) don’t contain gluten. Cross contamination may be another story, but I eat them pretty often without an issue.

      Canadian PDF: http://www1.mcdonalds.ca/NutritionCalculator/IngredientFactsEN.pdf

      Fries as listed in the above PDF: Potatoes, canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, safflower oil, natural flavour (vegetable source), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain colour), citric acid (preservative), dimethylpolysiloxane (antifoaming agent), cooked in vegetable oil (canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil (TBHQ), citric acid, dimethylpolysiloxane).

      Reply

  13. I recently ordered Grilled Chicken at McDonalds for my son and it appeared to have a thick coating of some sort on the outside. When I looked up the ingredients, I found that Wheat Flour was listed as an ingredient in the Grilled Chicken. RIDICULOUS!!!! I also think he has had a reaction to the french fries at McDonalds.

    Reply

    • Jonnay, where did you find wheat flour as an ingredient in the grilled chicken??? McDonald’s website states: Grilled Chicken Fillet:
      Chicken breast fillet with rib meat, water, seasoning (rice starch, salt, sugar, yeast extract, canola oil, onion powder, maltodextrin, chicken skin, paprika, flavor,
      sunflower oil, chicken, garlic powder, chicken fat, spices), sodium phosphates.
      Prepared with Liquid Margarine: Liquid soybean oil and hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils, water, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, soy lecithin,
      mono-and diglycerides, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives), artificial flavor, citric acid, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene (color).
      CONTAINS: SOY LECITHIN.

      Reply

      • Maltodextrin, a common food additive, is a type of sugar that’s made by breaking down starch. (Despite its name, maltodextrin does not contain malt.) Whether maltodextrin is gluten-free depends on what kind of starch it came from. In the United States, maltodextrin is usually made from rice, corn, or potato. In Europe, maltodextrin is frequently made from wheat.

        Reply

  14. My 6 year old has celiac. Since his diagnosis, we have not eaten out. I heard McD’s fries are GF. So I took him for a (very unhealthy) treat–about 5-6 hours later he was balled up in pain crying. His reaction was enough evidence I need to NEVER give him McD’s fries again.

    Reply

  16. I cant guarantee it but i think the Peanut Butter Cup McFlurry is also gluten free. I read it somewhere else it the past and the Hershey’s web site says ALL Peanut Butter Cups (except holiday shapes) are gluten free. My son has had the PBC McFlurry and suffered no side affects. But its a try at your own risk situation.(at 12 he’s willing to risk it the once or twice a year we get one. LOL)

    Reply

    • Your son is bold. That’s all I have to say lol. When I think about it too, Reese Cups are gluten free, so it’d only make sense if the McFlurry is too. But I’m with you on the whole eat at your own risk. Thanks for the tip Cicely!

      Reply

  17. I have McDonalds french fries every day for lunch with a parfait and an orange juice. It never causes me any problem. My brother is a lot more fragile than I am. We both have a problem with artificial sweeteners. The problem that you are having may be with the drink and not the fries.

    Reply

  19. I used to work at Simplots who made McDonalds french fries and hash browns. In 1990 their hash-browns only have dextrose, vitamin C, and salt. However, the McNuggets are breaded and fried in the same oil, the fries and hash-browns are contaminated.

    Reply

  20. I eat the tortilla strips and don’t have a reaction! Also most use fresh eggs, I did’t know some did’t.

    Reply

    • I worked at McDonald’s for almost a year. Everything is processed mostly. The salads are made every morning and they add the chicken (and tortilla chips) when you order it. The French fries and hash browns are fried together and no one cares much about allergies. I ALWAYS told people it’s better to be safe than sorry (I’m allergic to tree nuts) and to look up the ingredients online. I’m gluten AND dairy free (by diet, not celiacs or lactose intolerant) but reading the beef/milk/wheat crud that’s in the fries makes me feel sick. I think the only thing I can eat at this place is the side salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Also all the meat comes as is and sits in a warmer. The eggs aren’t cooked on the spot either.. Just like dunkin donuts. It’s all frozen. I’ll stick to Chipotle after reading this haha, thanks guys!

      Reply

  21. I have not actually been tested for celiacs or gluten sensitivity but I can tell you even things with traces give me diarrhea and stomach cramps. I stopped having gluten in Dec. Today I decided to try some McDonalds fries and a frappe for a treat and now … you guessed it… diarrhea and stomach cramps! I won’t be doing that again! On a side note, I have lost 30 lbs since giving up gluten and feel sooo much better.

    Reply

    • I just had McDonald’s Egg White Delight without the english muffin – McDonald’s served it in a plastic container (nice job). But, then had a signifiant gluten reaction. I have had this reaction at times when i have eaten scrambled eggs and fried eggs in restaurants. I have since learned that some restaurants add wheat based products to eggs to make fluffy, and I also have read that cross contamination on the same grill that cooks pancakes could be an issue. I noticed that McDonald’s fried eggs are not on the gluten free list. Does anyone have information on whether McDonald’s Egg White Delight (without the bread) is gluten free?

      Reply

      • They came out with the egg white delight right before I went gluten free. That stuff is delicious. I’ve always been a fan of egg whites. I don’t know about the cheese, but according to mcdonalds 30 something page ingredient pdf, eggs as well as egg whites do not contain wheat at all. The eggs are just eggs, but the egg whites are prepared with liquid margerine. I’m not sure about cross contamination, but when I have just those, I have no reaction. The site says both contain soy lecithin, whatever that is. Is that actually soy? I’m not supposed to really be having soy… or caffeine or sugar or dairy. Hence why I’m having a mocha frappe :rolls eyes:
        btw, this site is a lifesaver! !!!

        Reply

  22. Just so no one gets confused when they go to McDonalds to order a drink, McDonalds sweet tea DOES contain gluten. My wife isn’t sensitive enough that cross contamination bothers her but has a bad reaction if she has something with gluten in it and she had a reaction almost immediately after taking a drink of McDonalds sweet tea.

    Reply

    • I just got sick from drinking a Mcdonalds iced tea. i thought i was crazy but I only had corn chex and rice milk that morning so it must have been the iced tea. I cannot imagine why iced tea would have gluten!

      Reply

      • Hi, April. I can’t imagine why the iced tea would have gluten, but it does have a lot of caffeine. Caffeine can affect your system badly in a similar way to a glutening, especially if you haven’t had a lot in a long time or are greatly affected (caffeine has always caused digestive distress for me, even before becoming gluten free and even moreso now that I am). Just to be safe, though, I would suggest avoiding the iced tea. I go to Burger King myself and order the boundless burger and fries and sometimes have Sprite. I had the peach iced tea there once and got a caffeine reaction and had Dr. Pepper there as well with another caffeine reaction. Just be careful!

        Reply

      • Also, I’ve heard that rice milk is sometimes processed with gluten. Why? I don’t know! A better choice would be almond milk or flax milk. I can’t have nuts, so the flax milk has been awesome for me. Silk has also come out with a new cashew milk that I have yet to try. I can have cashews for some reason. Good luck, and pay attention!

        Reply

  23. Are you absolutely sure the fries contain gluten? I’ve eaten them before with no side effect. Have any of you guys ever had a doggy brain after eating gluten for an extended period of time? And how long do your pains go away after staying on a gluten free diet?

    Reply

  25. F.y.i. As far as the French fries go… They definitely have wheat in them. When you look at the official McDonald’s allergen and nutrition PDF it shows you all the ingredients used in each item they sell. Wheat is listed as an ingredient in the French fry recipe. I have a whey and casein sensitivity so their French fries are out 🙁

    Reply

  26. I have celiac. And when I went into MacDonald’s. And asked them if any thing is gluten free on the menu they looked at me like I came from another planet. I like the french fries and if they had gluten I would had gotten a migraine the next day that would had lasted at least 4 days. So no gluten in the fries. But would hesitate to try anything else I gained a lot of weight with celiac.

    Reply

    • I have Celiac’s also. I ate the fries and didn’t have my usuall horrible headache, diarrhea or nausea. So I figure they have to be GF!

      Reply

  27. Many commercial french fries have gluten in them. My husband and daughter toured a local potato plant in 2004 or 2005 and, at that time, most of the commercial french fries they produced were made by mashing the potatoes, adding gluten, and extruding the mixture through a die. The gluten is used to stick the mashed potato together. All the fries for each chain/brand must be made to the same standard to maintain consistency of the product nationwide. McD’s was one of many chains/brands this plant produced fries for. Rule of thumb: if the fries are reconstituted they likely contain gluten, if the fries are cut they likely do not contain gluten… but you still have the issue of adding wheat to the oil and cross contamination.

    Reply

  28. fries not gluten free. spent all day in the bathroom. ick. never again, learn the hard way. was I stupid.

    Reply

  29. There are way too many food ingredients out there that contain wheat protein to trust any place to eat rather than your own kitchen. This is no easy task!! Trying to prepare a meal at home has become complicated as well. However, once you come up with a meal plan (try to use non GMO products as much as possible) life is good once again;). I don’t eat out much unless it’s at a diner for an omelette. Or Japanese for sushi, in which, I bring my own gluten free soy sauce from Bragg. I know the discussion here is about McD’s gluten free menu but just look at the other ingredients in the stuff as well. If I cannot pronounce the ingredients, I’m not consuming them. I’m so amazed that so many people still eat at these places. The chemicals in the foods are the issue. People are becoming sick from the high intake of these processed ingredients that the body is not designed to break down. I’m not an expert in the field but just something as simple as knowing the difference between high fructose corn syrup and sugar is enough to raise a red flag for me. I have UC & Celiacs & ADHD. These intestinal issues are also related to ADHD and who knows what else!! Eat at home. Prepare your own lunch for work. I will go hungry before I eat on the go… The body can handle it so as long as you have water; if you think about it, it’s only a few hours… You can always grab fruit as a snack. Doesn’t sound fulfilling but you get over it rather quickly.

    Reply

  30. my son is very sensitive to cross contamination and he has had no issues eating McDonald’s french fries. we do however only eat at the one in coal city il. due to the fact all of the others around us admit to using the fryers wrong.

    Reply

  31. The hashbrowns contain the same ingredients as the fries and are gluten free. However, they also both contain the natural beef flavor which utilizes wheat as a starting ingredient. The controvery comes from the natural beef flavor which, although does contain wheat, leaves no wheat residue after the processing of the protein. Independent research groups have assessed whether or not the hydrolyzed wheat used in the fries results in gluten in the final product and they found that there was no gluten in the final product. However, McDonald’s still has to list wheat in the ingredients because it is the law. It’s similar to grain alcohol in that the distillation process removes the gluten. Yet, it’s still made from grain. Everyone has to make the decision that’s right for them, however. Yet, the outside testing agencies have declared that the finished fry and hashbrown products do not contain measurable levels of gluten.

    Reply

    • I should also add that the fryers are not always dedicated. Additionally, some McDonald’s recycle their oil, mixing the oil from the dedicated fries fryer and the Chicken McNugget friers together at night and reusing the next day. I always ask about the aforementioned cross contamination risks.

      Reply

  32. I have a letter from McDonald’s that states they do not refer to the products as
    Gluten Free, rather “Items” that have no gluten source in the ingredients.
    French Fries and Hash Browns lead the list.
    So the hash browns do not contain Gluten ingredients unless contaminated from
    other sources.
    I can fax you a copy on this letter if you wish. (it’s dated Nov 2009)
    Things might have changed since then. If you find out lets know.

    Thanks

    Reply

  35. My experience regarding Mc Donalds and gluten free food is really great. I have to mention that this is in scandinavia (Norway, sweden and Finland). Gluten free bread and fries). I am diagnosed with the “worst” level og celiak sickness ( in Norway you get 300 USD each month if you are at that level to cover the extra expenses). I eat burgere and fries often, and have never got an reaction. I work alot in USA, and have never tryied any mc donalds food, because i do not trust other countries and their gluten free knowlegde. In Norway, you can not find a restaurant which do not serve a full meal gluten free ( with sauce and sides). It should be possible to adapt this knowlege to other countries, because its really a basic thing ( eg. Use maizena flouer instead of wheat).

    Reply

    • If the U.S. adopted the Scandinavian method of gluten free dining and education, life would be a whole lot easier. Thanks for the great input Atle!

      Reply

  36. Went to McDonalds tonight for the first time after a year of being celiac. After doing my research the only mcflurry I was able to get was m&m, not liking m&m’s I went prepared in hope McDonald’s would be understanding. I tooka ziplock bag with crushed up peanutbutter covered pretzels and chocolate covered pretzels. They were kind enough to make me a mcflurry with my toppings and I think I invented the next best Mcflurry!

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  37. McDonald’s french fries and hashbrowns not only have gluten but beef flavoring in them. After much research and a trip to the ER from anaphylactic shock I know this is fact.

    Reply

  39. I don’t get why one would struggle with md’s…..it’s just unhealthy overall and not worth the risk of trusting a jelly brain teen to prepare my greased food….

    Reply

  40. I don’t care much for it myself but my daughter has celiac and for some reason kids love it. Of all the fast food restaurants mcdonalds is probably the best at making her food seperate and keeping her from getting sick. Sure it’s not healthy but for someone who is so restricted on what you can eat all the time it’s nice to be able to go out to eat with everyone and get something you can have too.

    Reply

    • My young daughter has celiac, and she has quickly adjusted to Wendys for her fast-food fix. (The kid is a huge, huge, huge fan of baked potatoes now!)

      Reply

  41. In most places in Canada, McD’s uses Renees Southwest dressing for the Southwest salad…it’s GF. I had the salad for lunch today (minus the tortilla strips, because I had a reaction last time…they have yeast extract in them & since most things that say yeast extract can be suspect, didn’t eat them). I had the grilled chicken in it…no reaction whatsoever. Hope this is helpful.

    Reply

    • Here is the pdf of their nutrion menu. It lists all the ingredients and anything with wheat has it in capital bold letters. http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/getnutrition/ingredientslist.pdf. Frappes are fine, but the health nuts here will yell at you. Smoothies are fine. Shakes are fine as are the general syrup toppings.

      Be wary of the dressings. Buttermilk Ranch has wheat. Creamy Ranch Sauce does not. Big Mac sauce is the same victim of the hydrolyzed wheat. Really? beef flavor in thousand island dressing? Some secret. Chipotle BBQ sauce doesn’t have wheat, but the Tangy Barbecue Sauce does. Sweet ‘N Sour sauce has wheat.

      Regardless of how the hydrolyzed wheat protein is utilized and distilled off or what not in the final product, there are alternatives, like hydrolyzed soy protein. In a perfect world they would all use fresh cut like Burger King and Chik-Fil-A, but at the least, with more people being diagnosed with allergies and intolerances, you’d think a company of this scale could influence some changes and actually market to the crowd. And regardless of what labs say, some are just more sensitive than others. Just like those that have a hard time with some liquors that are distilled from wheat and other gluten grains.

      You general health nuts can keep your unhealthy comments to yourself. Not everyone who enjoys some fast food has weight issues or trouble eating healthy. We like to treat ourselves from time to time and can even enjoy fairly healthy eating at McDonalds and other fast food places. Grilled chicken with lettuce tomato and onion in a lettuce wrap is fairly healthy and half the price of getting something similar at a sit down place, and same with a burger. Picking up a salad with grilled chicken. Just getting a smoothie, and yes we know there is sugar in it. Take responsibility for what you eat instead of trying to group fast food into being the problem and preaching to us about how bad it is. Educate your kids when and if you go. Much easier to educate from within than to place blame elsewhere. If everyone started ordering healthier food at these places, they just might change their menus accordingly. Instead, the masses speak and now McDonald’s comes out with breaded wings when they could ditch the hydrolyzed wheat in the fries and browns and use that same oil for naked wings, fries and browns. Naked wings with some creamy ranch? Yum.

      They have a comment section you can send them an email. The more people with allergies and sensitivities that speak up, the better the chance they might listen. With the shift to healthier eating and allergies and sensitivities becoming more common, they could easily make some minor changes and even market them. Lettuce wrapped sandwiches would be a big plus. Add a side salad to make a meal and you’re eating fairly healthy for what it is.

      Reply

  43. I have had french fries large and hash browns and never get sick and I instantly get a reaction to gluten so they are both safe.

    Reply

  44. Seriously if u r celiac or gluten free, fast food is pretty much out. Too many uneducated people out there that think they understand gluten free but don’t.

    Reply

    • It’s really not too hard to eat fast food. The couple places I go, their people are pretty consistent, and I get grilled chicken or burgers sans bun quite a bit. They put them in dishes. The meat is picked up with tongs. Extras are put on by hand(lettuce, tomato, onions). If you ask, they’ll change gloves. Picking up the bun and laying it out is the worst thing they pretty much do on a normal basis. There’s really not a lot of opportunity for contamination at many places now that they handle less with their hands. And my McD’s throws in extra lettuce so I can make it more of a lettuce wrap like Ruby’s and Elevation.

      Reply

  45. As a newbie I’m quite confused. My BFF who is a GF veteran has told me I have to give up my love for Ranch dressing on everything. Well unless I can find a GF substitute that tastes the same. Yet, on every menu it lists ranch dressing as GF! So what’s the verdict? Can I start coating my bun free burgers in ranch?

    Reply

    • Hi Kathy, everything restaurants ranch dressing is different. It honestly just depends on whatever restaurant you’re eating at

      Reply

    • I LOVE ranch! I recently started eating Gluten free and was so happy to discover my favourite brand of Ranch is Gluten Free. Noname FYI

      Reply

  46. I eat the french fries and hashbrowns all the time and have absolutely no reaction. I usually order the big breakfast minus the biscuit with a caramel frappe and feel fine. So I think the eggs are fine too. I have Celiac and get violently ill within 2 hours if I consume gluten, but none of these bother me at all.

    Reply

    • Just because it doesn’t list wheat does not make restaurant foods safe. Cross contamination can occur by the surface it is prepared on. Many restaurants do not have dedicated surfaces that are protected from gluten contamination.

      Reply

  50. ketchup contains vinegar, which is NOT gluten free. for those who have sever allergies even trace amounts can be harmful.

    Reply

    • Your keyword is severe. It’s such a small population that is effected by products distilled from grains. And only vinegars that are malted present more of a universal problem. Those not made from grains are perfectly fine, the only kicker bring wine vinegar that come from barrels. lined with with a flour paste, and even then the gluten content present even before starting distillation is at or almost at the level to be gluten free by most standards, and that’s before distillation.

      And for the record, Heinz ketchup is gluten free which is what McDonald’s carries.

      Reply

  51. Even the most gluten-free conscious restaurants have wayward employees that can screw up and cross-contaminate (“please change your gloves”, “did you change the water?”). I’m not leaving my gastro tract in the hands of some teenie bopper working at McDs!

    Reply

  53. wondering why the southwest salad says to skip the tortilla strips. I buy them all the time at the grocery store and every brand I’ve checked is gluten free!

    Reply

    • Possibilities:
      1. Some tortilla chips add wheat flour. Usually have some whole or multi grain designation, but when you’re buying something bagged, it’s an easy thing to recognize. Don’t think they mention what these are made of.
      2. I have restaurants that make tortilla chips and they fry them in the same oil as all the breaded foods. So “cross contact” as someone pointed out. Maybe the company that makes them makes all sorts of fried chips and some contain wheat.
      That’s all I can think of off the top of my head.

      Reply

  54. I too have a gluten intolerance. I have found McDonalds fries differ by restaurant. I could eat them a one with no problem. We recently moved, and I got sick eating fries at the McDonalds in our new town. So….you take a chance, is it worth it??

    Reply

  56. I heard from a lady I know (who is very strict on her gluten free diet) that McDonalds has a filler in their meat that gives them gluten.

    Reply

  57. This is cut and pasted directly from Mcdonald’s ingredient list:

    FRENCH FRIES:

    Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Soybean 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.

    *

    CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK.

    *Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.

    Same for the hash browns.

    Reply

  59. The Fries have gluten via the beef flavoring. If you have celiac disease, then you shouldn’t eat at McDonalds. Cross contamination is going to happen when you have workers handling do many burgers and using the same surfaces for all the good. This is a place that uses lots of buns, breaking and other sources of gluten. It I only takes particles of the stuff to wreck you for two weeks if you have celiac. Seriously you sre dreaming if you think you are not getting any gluten when you eat at this place.

    Reply

  60. I cannot believe that a company as big as McDonalds cannot be 100 percent sure that their gluten free foods are gluten free. The health of many people, mostly children are at risk A loving Grandma

    Reply

    • It’s standard CYA language. My daughter has celiac; even the best restaurants we go to still contain the same disclaimer on their menus.

      Reply

  61. I work at a McDonalds in Canada. The fries do not have a coating (or the beef flavour mentioned above) but the hashbrowns do (which contains rice flour to help crisp them up) and are 100% gluten free. The oil used in Canada was changed years ago to remove the gluten that used to be hidden in the oils flavouring, so as long as you are in Canada you can enjoy the fries. Also their gravy for the poutine is gluten free! Unfortunately, last I heard, the oil and fries have not been changed to accommodate us and continue to contain gluten in the States. As mentioned above, even once surfaces have been wiped and hands have been washed, cross contamination is still very possible and if you are a severely sensitive celiac you should avoid ordering food from the kitchen. I have never been sick ordering any small burger with no bun due to celiac, just the excessive grease lol!

    Allergy Guide For McDonalds Canada
    http://www1.mcdonalds.ca/NutritionCalculator/IngredientFactsEN.pdf

    Reply

  65. Regarding McDonald’s French Fries. After asking the supervisor there and getting the “I don’t know but here’s our nutrition menu”. I looked it up on the McDonald’s site and finally found the following link which required me to enter a zip code to pin down the ingredients.

    http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/product_nutrition.snackssides.6050.small-french-fries.html

    The information it related is copied here verbatim:

    FRENCH FRIES
    Allergens: WHEAT AND MILK
    Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Soybean 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.

    CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK
    *Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.

    Keep in mind that it asked for a zip code so your locations may have different ingredients.
    Now I have no reason to ever go back to McDonald’s.

    In-and-Out here I come!

    Reply

  66. McDonald’s and several hundred other fast food restaurants are not ‘gluten free’. These restaurants offer gluten free items. The problem is CROSS_CONTAMINATION! If you are o a random gluten free diet, no problem. But if you are diagnosed with celiac and/or gluten sensitivity, then you should NEVER eat at McDonald’s or any other fast food restaurant. You should eat at certified 100% gluten free fast food and regular restaurants. Because the USA only recognizes gluten free at 100miliparts per million – that simply meas there is gluten in 99% of all gluten free foods. BEWARE….

    Reply

  67. If you go to the McDonald’s website for Canada it says both their fries and hashbrowns are gluten free and are cooked in a seperate frier. Their beef patties are 100% beef and only have salt and pepper added. But because they prepare food that has gluten in the same kitchen they cannot guarantee anything to be gluten free.

    Reply

    • True. Canada site does say hash browns and frys gluten free and in there own fryer together. USA site frys have cross contamination in the fryer. U can tell a canadian mcdonalds because it has a red leaf in the middle of the mcdonalds M. It helps when ur a the boarder.

      Reply

  68. I don’t eat at mcdonalds due to how rudely I have been treated because of me having celiac disease. I explain that I have to make a special order and that I might have some questions. I still get whined at, or told I am making it too complicated for the server to handle. I ordered a burger without bun or sauce and the server asked me if it was for a dog to eat (apparently people order meat patties for their dogs I learned, but still.) Also I seriously doubt they change their gloves, just sayin.

    Reply

  69. I think another question to ask in the great fry debate is…”Is there a common filter used between fryers” Just cause an eatery has a dedicated fryer for their fries – does not mean they are always GF. I have been told at some high end restaurants that they have separate fryers, but they share the same oil filter system – thereby contaminating the oil…

    Reply

  70. As one of the steps in manufacturing their proprietary french fries, McDonalds dips them in a vegetable oil + wheat mixture. (It helps their outside crisp up.) They also regularly use an oil with a wheat-based flour mixed in, for texture purposes. McDonalds french fries are most definitely NOT gluten-free, even if they were fried in a dedicated fryer. (But you can still have Ore Ida fries at home; those are definitely GF.)

    Reply

    • My word, whatever is the matter with people. I’m not sure what it said in 2013 (when this thread started), but the McDonalds UK website is quite clear in answering any questions and ending this debate.

      Unless there is a suggestion they are lying (even they couldn’t get away with that), it is quite clear from the multiple pages that the fries are gluten free.

      Thank you for Ryan in providing some evidence (which will no doubt be ignored)

      Reply

  71. I do not eat gluten and so far I have not had a problem with McDonald’s french fries. In fact, it is one of very few places that I can eat the french fries. I would be leery of ketchup. There is hidden gluten in many brands of ketchup as well as salad dressings. I would have to see the ingredient list before I would eat any ketchup or salad dressing. Also, any processed chicken (like the grilled chicken on the salads) have some sort of seasoning on them. I have been very careful about not eating foods like that because you just never can be 100% sure of the ingredients used for seasoning & coating. I usually just order a side salad with a side order of bacon (to put on my salad).

    Reply

  72. McD’s fries may be gluten free but they are not wheat free which can be a big issue if you have allergies.

    Reply

  73. I tested McDonalds fries for gluten to 20 ppm using a Glutentox test kit. The results came back negative meaning that there was less than 20 ppm of gluten present. Although there may be trace ingredients of wheat, it is possible that the concentration is so minute that, most often, they do not at effect people with celiac.
    Check out the test I did here at http://www.foodtestnetwork.com/gluten_mcdonalds_entries

    Reply

  74. Until recently, the grilled chicken was not gluten free. They now offer a new form that is gluten free. The French fries have gluten, beef, and milk in them. They now have a full listing of ingredients available on their website.

    Reply

  75. As the old add age goes… location, location, location.

    Products are not universally sourced for any food retailer. That is specifically noted when you are asked to enter a zip code to discern your market’s specific ingredient list. However, that is not the only factor – training and actually taking steps to secure the food a restaurant is offering guest vs profit and time charts is another. Franchised locations be corporate locations have variants as much as the region to region markets.

    Recent food advisories by McDonald’s Corporation have alerted to food allergen impacts to specific regions only — due to new products being introduced. I.e. Idaho region is getting new Buttermilk Battered Chicken which will introduce new milk contamination to the kitchen. New McFlurry ingredients in the Indiana region market will increase the likelihood of wheat and gluten into other customers orders due to common mixer. Sweet tea in some Southern markets use a sucrose sourced from wheat.

    Until there is a more stringent standard for food safety and ingredients in the US – dining out is gambling with your life, health and welfare. Take a stand with the restaurant when they say you are “complicated” – ask for a manager, the owners contact information, corporate numbers including legal department and start the foundation of awareness and the pressure game and be willing to walk out but not end there. Take them or send them information – be part of the voice that shouting for simple changes that could be very cost effective changes to them and even a niche market – good terms to use since money drives them more than public safety.

    There is no reason anyone should have to gamble their lives and health for a meal and someone’s bottom line. If corporations neglect you – neglect to patronize them and spread the word why.

    Reply

  76. I was wondering about this myself before making a recent trip to McDonald’s. I looked on their website, and according to that, the fries are not gluten free. The key info is that the oil that they cook it in is seasoned, and that seasoning contains wheat. So, it doesn’t really matter if they use a separate fryer or not, apparently it’s the oil that’s the issue. I have celiac, and personally I have eaten a couple of fries here and there and I’ve been OK afterward. It seems that it only contains trace amounts, which would make sense. If I were to eat a whole box of them, I’d probably get sick.

    Reply

  77. I get very very sick from gluten…I can tell if I have ingested just a small amount. Their fries do not make me sick at all, but I made the mistake of thinking the hash browns were also gluten free and it was a disaster. But the fries… I can eat those for days!

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  78. I have eaten Mc Donald’s fries & hash browns in Australia, the UK & Europe every year & have never been sick from them, in Australia they have dedicated vats for there Fries & Hash browns & in Europe & the UK they have lists of there Gluten free products on the back of there menu which state that the fries & hash browns are gluten free.
    I have been gluten free for 14 years & travel every year but have not been to Canada or the USA so will try them there this year .

    Reply

  79. Burger King fries are NOT gluten free, even though they classify them as such. I have ordered them on a few separate occasions and found pieces of onion ring breading in my fry container. Upon asking I was told that they make onion rings and fries in the same fryer, sometimes the even the same basket.

    Reply

    • I think with many of these places, it’s dependent upon the people that work there and how diligent they are. The one bk near me, they use a separate fryer. You can see it. But the separation of the onion rings and fries where they dump them is not very good. So great and wonderful you fry them separately. Your sorting after sucks, and you still get bits of onion rings in your fries. At least McD’s does all their breaded stuff in a separate area. If you find a place hat is diligent in their separation, great. I gave them their fries back and got my money back when I saw the onion ring bits in my fries. They do well with their burgers, most places. Will change their gloves and everything as they prep it in a bowl or plate. Fries, you have to find a place that understands why things are separated and actually keep things separate.

      Wendy’s could be great if they separated their breaded stuff out. Shame they don’t, and most of their deals are for meals instead of bogo on the burgers.

      Reply

  81. After a very poignant, letter-stretched ‘whaaaat’ and a very audible, six-minute gasp, I’ve come to realize that those crispy bits of heaven served at McDonanld’s contain not three, not four but 19 ingredients! Cue grumble. So what on earth are we eating? These are the ingredients used to make French fries in McDonalds’s, United States – Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Soybean 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. Contains: Wheat and Milk. *Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.
    http://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/there-are-19-ingredients-in-your-mcdonalds-french-fries-736343

    Reply

  82. FRom my understanding hash browns are gluten free. I have celiac disease and have no problem with hash browns. Fries are however flash frozen in some wheat product so I have not eaten them but I know a lot of ppl do safely

    Reply

  83. Since being diagnosed with Celiac’s disease, i have cut out ALL fast food to be safe. Mostly due to cross contamination

    Reply

  84. the fries are NOT gluten free… I know because multiple other people have said that they contain wheat, McDonald’s uses the same fryer for all of their fried foods (i.e. mostly breaded), and also because my body told me so

    Reply

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