McDonald’s Corporation has started using olive oil in the preparation of some of its recipes.
In media reports of the widely publicized launch of McDonald’s new “artisan grilled chicken” sandwich in the US, the new recipe is said to be made of “100% real chicken breast” and cooked in a blend of olive oil and canola oil.
The old recipe had been prepared using liquid margarine which included a long list of ingredients, including 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, and beta carotene (color).
The new grilled chicken recipe is made with 12 ingredients instead of 18 and does not include any artificial flavors or added colors or preservatives. Another significant change to the recipe has been the removal of sodium phosphates which was used to keep the chicken moist. This has been replaced with vegetable starch.
McDonald’s new grilled chicken sandwich recipe has been introduced in response to consumer demands for simple ingredients, the company said. By removing artificial ingredients consumers are not familiar with, the company is making an effort to simplify their recipes and respond to increasing demands for natural foods.
Sales at McDonald’s outlets in the US have been in decline for the past two years, suggesting that American consumers may be turning away from fast food to healthier options. The Subway chain of submarine sandwiches also introduced a revamped grilled chicken sandwich earlier this year which contains no artificial flavors or preservatives.
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