McDonalds... OMG!

jayhawkmom · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 851 Location: Midwest, USA

Ok, so... this is going to be one of those posts where most people go... "Well, no kidding!"

But, it was an eye opening experience for me.

My husband just brought back hash browns for the kids, and a diet coke for me. He sat here eating his scrambled eggs and asked if I wanted some.

I wanted to make sure there was no pancake batter (or anything wonky) in the eggs before I ate them. (Bearing in mind... I LOVE scrambled eggs, but feel awkward about "super fluffy" eggs)

So, I got online and started looking at McD's allergen information and ingredient statements. I was shocked to find that the "GRILLED chicken breast" contains wheat.

And, this is the very reason it's constantly reiterated that we much read *everything* before we eat it. On more than one occasion I've ordered a bunless grilled chicken breast for myself.

I am horribly irritated (with MYSELF) right now. And, after reading the ingredient statements outloud, my husband has lost any and all desire to ever eat there again. (So I guess it's a good thing... but geez!)

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2501 Location: Washington State

Yup. It's got wheat. I think it's stupid too. Kinda like the doritos in the red bag having wheat in them, but not the other flavors. You are so right, we have to check and recheck to stay safe.
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-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
9-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters have negative bloodwork - so far!

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

kb9oyo · Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 1:24 pm Post subject:

I think that the one that got to me just after I was diagnosed was Campbell's Chicken and Rice condensed soup. I couldn't believe that they actually **added** gluten to a broth soup!! There it was, right on the label. I was so mad. It was my favorite soup.
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Sue Beyer

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4139 Location: Nebraska

I don't understand why one would have to add wheat to spice mixes (Doritos and Fritos spring to mind). I have a ton of spice mixes, and none of them have wheat.
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Fidissimus · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 1518 Location: Portland, OR.

With Doritos it's just the cheddar one's... that's what gets me. ???
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GF BD: Feb. 2001
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Suzi · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 6 Location: The world

I am an Aussie currently living in Canada & for some reason they feel it necessary to coat the fries in wheat flour!!! Why Question

We never do that in Australia.
I am heathy most of the time but fries are definitely my weakness. On a brighter note I did find a shop the other day that have fries coated with rice flour rather than wheat. Maybe they are coming to their senses after all.

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4139 Location: Nebraska

John · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 70

And if you checked it two weeks ago, that doesn't make it OK today.

I've been enjoying a generic brand of seasoned french fries from the grocery store freezer. Two weeks ago they were breaded with rice and potato starch.

Yesterday, I was late for a party so I grabbed a bag of the fries real quick without looking. After I had eaten half the bag, of course, I thought to check it.

Sure enough, "THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS WHEAT." And stamped next to it, something I hadn't seen on this product before: "PRODUCT OF CANADA"

So today stinks. But I got the day off because my two next managers couldn't agree on a meeting time for today. I was gona try a half day. Ugh, I'm just glad my symptoms are so bad that I have a good reminder of why I avoid gluten so much.

jayhawkmom · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 851 Location: Midwest, USA

John · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 70

I think the only solution is a long-term one. We have to make the manufacturers stick to their recipes to build brand loyalty. Unfortunately, I've done the numbers and while there COULD be a good market for gluten-free food in America, there simply isn't enough people diagnosed. The key then, is to accelerate awareness.

The more people who know this issue affects them, the more demand there is for gluten-free food. My girlfriend left me a note this morning that this last year it is estimated that the number of people on gluten-free diets went up 86% last year (she saw this on the morning news, don't know what network). Even at that rate, we have years to go before the diagnosis rate is anywhere near the actual rate of gluten intolerence.

Until then, its simply not going to effect companys' bottom lines. Its unfortunate.

Letters and phone calls can help too. Make the companies know you exist and what your demands are before becoming a customer. Sure, one call doesn't make a difference, but if everyone does it a few times a month, or year, the companies will start to recognize this as something that can expand their market.

In a profit based economy, they WILL respond to demand. We just have to make that demand heard and work to get as many people aware as possible.

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2424

Companies have the right to change their recipes/formulations as frequently as they like as long as they properly label the packages. Sometimes an ingredient become unavailable so the product is changed; sometimes an ingredient's price sky rockets; sometimes they come up with a better formulation. I feel quite confident that the American public would not happily pay any price for a product that never changes its ingredients.

It's not the manufacturers fault when someone with a food intolerance chooses to ignore the most basic practice of safe eating which of course is to read the label or call to find out if the product is safe. We need to be held accountable for our actions.

I believe it's been close to a year since the chicken breast was taken off the GF menu.

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4139 Location: Nebraska

I agree with TEC. While it's very annoying that some companies seem to change their ingredients on a whim (I'm looking at your Applebees!), it's up to us to check everything. Even if 100% of the US had CD, I doubt companies would stop changing things at the drop of a hat.
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I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

Kathie · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 742 Location: Florida

I to used to eat grilled chicken breast at many restaurants figuring it was ok, I now go with the assumption that it ALWAYS has wheat unless I know for sure otherwise. Seems like restaurants love to inject chicken, they claim it helps to keep it moist and juicy. Outback's chicken is ok, Chili's unless they have changed the menu recently is not. (Actually at Chili's it used to be that the regular chicken breast used for the grilled chicken and chicken dinners was injected, the chicken that they use to make chicken fingers however was OK, (until it was breaded, in house). We used to have a great Manager who would fix me chicken dinners with that chicken and it was great, he's gone now and I don't trust the new management so we don't eat there any more.)
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jayhawkmom · Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 851 Location: Midwest, USA

edited to remove my response........ to TEC.

I've decided to play nice, instead.

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2424

It's not my fault that you didn't read the label, but I understand that it helps you to feel better to get mad at me. It's okay I can take it.

Edited to add...Playing nice in public? Rolling Eyes