McDonald's finally reveals what goes into their burgers

Fast food company McDonald’s showed what really goes into their burgers by inviting cameras into the factory, in a drive to counter bad rumours.

15:31 15 October 2014

In an unprecedented move, fast food chain McDonald’s have finally revealed what goes into their burgers by inviting an external camera crew inside their factories. Crew from Good Morning America (GMA) were invited to McDonald’s California plant at it launched its new "Our Food. Your Questions" series. 

 

The move was designed to address rumours that have long haunted the chain that pink slime and worm meat were added to the recipes. 

 

The fast food chain also encouraged consumers to send questions via Twitter and Facebook. 

 

One question that was posted on its US homepage reads: “Does McDonald’s beef contain worms?” to which the answer is simply “No. Gross! End of Story.” 

 

A video posted as part of the campaign showed Grant Imahara, a former host of the TV show Mythbusters, touring a Cargill beef plant where McDonald's burgers are made.

 

"Are there lips and eyeballs in there, Jimmy?" Imahara asks a plant supervisor, who explains the patties only have beef trimmings.

 

In a news release on its website, McDonald’s US said: “to assist with supply, like many other food retailers” they used “pink slime in their burgers between 2004 and 2011. It also admits to using azodicarbonamide (ADA) in its buns and rolls to keep the bread consistent in each batch that is produced.

 

“There are varied uses for azodicarbonamide, including in some non-food products, such as yoga mats,” a statement explains. “As a result, some people have suggested our food contains rubber or plastic, or that the ingredient is unsafe.

 

“It’s simply not the case. Think of salt: the salt you use in your food at home is a variation of the salt you may use to de-ice your sidewalk. The same is true of ADA — it can be used in different ways.”