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McDonald's acknowledges its fries contain potential allergens
Provided by: Canadian Press
Written by: DAVE CARPENTER
Feb. 14, 2006

CHICAGO (AP) - Not long after disclosing that its french fries contain
more trans fat than thought, McDonald's Corp. said Monday that wheat
and dairy ingredients are used to flavour the popular menu item - an
acknowledgment it had not previously made.

The presence of those substances can cause allergic or other medical
reactions in food-sensitive consumers.

McDonald's had said until recently that its fries were free of gluten
and milk or wheat allergens and safe to eat for those with dietary
issues related to the consumption of dairy items. But the fast-food
company quietly added "Contains wheat and milk ingredients" this month
to the french fries listing on its website.

The company said the move came in response to new rules by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration for the packaged foods industry, including
one requiring that the presence of common allergens such as milk, eggs,
wheat, fish or peanuts be reported. As a restaurant operator, Oak
Brook, Ill.-based McDonald's does not have to comply but is doing so
voluntarily.

McDonald's director of global nutrition, Cathy Kapica, said its potato
suppliers remove all wheat and dairy proteins, such as gluten, which
can cause allergic reactions. But the flavouring agent in the cooking
oil is a derivative of wheat and dairy ingredients, and the company
decided to note their presence because of the FDA's stipulation that
potential allergens be disclosed.

"We knew there were always wheat and dairy derivatives in there, but
they were not the protein component," she said. "Technically there are
no allergens in there. What this is an example of is science evolving"
and McDonald's responding as more is learned, she said.

While the company wanted to make consumers aware that fries were
derived in part from wheat and dairy sources, she said, those who have
eaten the product without problem should be able to continue to do so
without incident.

Since it was posted on McDonald's website, the acknowledgment has
stirred anger and some concern among consumers who are on gluten-free
diets.

"If they're saying there's wheat and dairy derivatives in the oil, as
far as anyone with this disease is concerned there's actually wheat in
it," said New York resident Jillian Williams, one of more than two
million Americans with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered
by gluten.

"They should have disclosed that all along," she said. "They should
never have been calling them gluten-free."

McDonald's has been reluctant to risk changing the taste of its
heavy-selling fries. It pledged in September 2002 to switch to a new
oil that would halve the level of harmful trans fatty acid in its
fries. But it has delayed those plans, citing product quality and
customer satisfaction as priorities while continuing testing.

Asked about the status of its efforts Monday, Kapica said: "It's a very
high priority and we are very committed to continuing with testing and
lowering the level of trans fat without raising the level of saturated
fat. ... It's a lot harder than we originally thought but that is not
stopping us."

McDonald's shares rose three cents to close at $36.36 on the New York
Stock Exchange - up 8 per cent in 2006.

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TC