McNugget makeover? McDonald’s tests ‘simpler’ recipe

NEW YORK — McDonald’s wants to take some of the mystery ingredients out of Chicken McNuggets.

The world’s biggest hamburger chain says it is testing an artificial preservative-free version of Chicken McNuggets, which have practically become synonymous with hyper-processed foods since they were introduced in the 1980s. The company says it began testing the new recipe in about 140 stores in Oregon and Washington in March.

It’s the latest move by McDonald’s to try and step up quality perceptions about its food as it works to turn around its business, which has lost customers in recent years. The company has conceded that it failed to keep up with changing tastes and that it is looking at improving core menu items.

Last week, it also said it is testing a version of its Big Mac that comes with bigger patties.

McDonald’s did not provide details on what exactly is different about the new McNugget recipe, but said it is “simpler” and “parents can feel good” about it. Becca Hary, a McDonald’s representative, noted that McNuggets are currently fried in oil that contains TBHQ, which is considered an artificial preservative.

The test reflects the sensitivities parents of young children in particular might have about food ingredients. McDonald’s has long marketed to families with its Happy Meals and Ronald McDonald mascot.

The McNugget test was first reported by Crain’s Chicago Business.

As people pay closer attention to food labels, companies across the food and beverage industry have tweaked recipes to remove ingredients that may sound unappetizing.

Last year, for instance, McDonald’s tweaked its grilled chicken recipe to remove ingredients people might not recognize. That change removed maltodextrin, which McDonald’s said was used to increase browning. Sodium phosphates, which McDonald’s said was to keep chicken moist, were replaced with vegetable starch.

Chicken McNuggets are delivered to stores frozen and currently contain a long list of ingredients, according to the McDonald’s website, including sodium phosphates. McDonald’s said the McNugget recipe it is testing does not have sodium phosphates.

McDonald’s said it is getting feedback from customers with the McNugget test, and did not say when it planned to launch the new recipe nationally.

Last week, McDonald’s said sales rose 5.4 percent at established U.S. locations during the first three months of the year. The company did not say how much of that came from an uptick in customer visits. The results were boosted at least in part by higher pricing and the shuttering of underperforming stores.

McDonald’s Corp., based in Oak Brook, Illinois, has more than 14,000 locations in the U.S.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.