Chicken McNuggets

Last updated

Chicken McNuggets
McDonalds-Chicken-McNuggets.jpg
Nutritional value per 10 pieces (162 g) No sauce
Energy 440 kcal (1,800 kJ)
30 g (10%)
Sugars 0 g
Dietary fiber 2 g
Fat
30 g (44%)
Saturated 5 g (25%)
22 g
Vitamins Quantity
%DV
Vitamin A equiv.
0%
0 μg
Vitamin C
2%
2 mg
Minerals Quantity
%DV
Calcium
2%
20 mg
Iron
8%
1 mg
Sodium
60%
900 mg
Other constituentsQuantity
Energy from fat270 kcal (1,100 kJ)
Cholesterol 65 mg (22%)

May vary outside United States
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: McDonald's Meal Builder

Chicken McNuggets are a type of chicken nuggets sold by the international fast food restaurant chain McDonald's. They consist of small pieces of reconstituted boneless chicken meat that have been battered and deep fried. [1] Chicken McNuggets were conceived by Keystone Foods in the late 1970s and introduced in select markets in 1981. [2] The nuggets were made available worldwide by 1983 after correcting a supply issue. The formula was changed in 2016 to remove artificial preservatives and improve the nutritional value.

Contents

Description and origin

The Chicken McNugget is a small piece of processed chicken meat that is fried in batter and flash-frozen at a central manufacturing facility, then shipped out and sold at McDonald's restaurants. It was conceived by Keystone Foods founder Herb Lotman in the late 1970s. [3] [4]

McDonald's first executive chef, René Arend, a native of Luxembourg, created the Chicken McNuggets recipe in 1979. "The McNuggets were so well-received that every franchise wanted them", said Arend in a 2009 interview. "There wasn't a system to supply enough chicken". [5] Supply problems were solved by 1983, and Chicken McNuggets became available nationwide in the United States. [6] In Canada, the national release was in late January 1984. [7]

According to McDonald's, the nuggets come in four shapes: the bell, the bow-tie, the ball and the boot. The reason for the four different shapes is to ensure consistent cooking times for food safety. [8] [9] Four shapes were chosen because McDonalds states "The 4 shapes we make Chicken McNuggets in was the perfect equilibrium of dipability and fun. 3 would’ve been too few. 5 would’ve been, like, wacky." [10]

Ingredients

As of August 1, 2016, the ingredients within the United States are as follows: White boneless chicken, water, salt, seasoning (yeast extract, salt, wheat starch, natural flavoring, safflower oil, lemon juice solids, dextrose, citric acid), sodium phosphates. Battered and breaded with water, enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), yellow corn flour, bleached wheat flour, salt, leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, calcium lactate), spices, wheat starch, dextrose, corn starch. Prepared in vegetable oil (canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil) with citric acid as a preservative. McDonald's ingredients can vary outside of the US. In August 2016 McDonald's announced that Chicken McNuggets no longer contained artificial preservatives. [11]

Sale

Chicken McNuggets are sold in various portion sizes depending on the country of purchase. In the United States, they come in packs of 4, 6, 10, 20 and 50 (in selected stores). [12] In some markets, including the United Kingdom, they are sold in packs of 4 (as part of a Happy Meal), 6, 9 or 20 (as a "ShareBox"). [13] In New Zealand and Australia, they are also available in 3-packs in Happy Meals and Heart Foundation-approved "Tick healthy" meals. In Canada, Chicken McNuggets are sold in packs of 4 (as part of a Happy Meal), 6, 10, and 20. A 50-piece McNuggets meal deal has been promoted at times for special events such as the NFL's Super Bowl. [14]

They have recently been introduced by McDonald's in India, first as a part of its "Breakfast Meal" and later in the regular menu in May 2009. A halal version of the McNuggets have been sold at two franchises in Dearborn, Michigan, beginning in the early 2000s, bringing in double the average McNuggets sales. [15]

Variants

In September 2020, McDonald's introduced Spicy Chicken McNuggets in the United States for a limited time along with Mighty Hot Sauce. Spicy Chicken McNuggets returned, for a limited time, in February 2021 and September 2023. [16] [17]

Criticism

In a 2002 lawsuit against McDonald's, a judge commented that Chicken McNuggets are a "McFrankenstein" creation. [18] The judge identified that rather than being merely chicken fried in a pan, McNuggets included elements not utilized by the home cook, including unusual sounding ingredients such as extracts of rosemary, vitamins (niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid) all of which are common in enriched flour, and leavening (baking soda, calcium lactate, etc.). [19]

The 2004 documentary Super Size Me states that "[o]riginally created from old chickens that can no longer lay eggs, McNuggets are now made from chickens with unusually large breasts. They're stripped from the bone, and ground-up into a sort of 'chicken mash', which is then combined with all sorts of stabilizers and preservatives, pressed into familiar shapes, breaded, deep-fried, freeze-dried, and then shipped to a McDonald's near you." Super Size Me also alleged inclusion of ingredients such as TBHQ, polydimethylsiloxane, and others not used by a typical home cook. [20] This was subsequently restated by CNN. [21] Marion Nestle, a New York University professor and author of What to Eat, says that the ingredients in McNuggets probably pose no health risks. [21]

Before August 2016, dimethylpolysiloxane and TBHQ were listed as ingredients in the McNuggets cooking process. [22] According to Lisa McComb, a media relations representative for McDonald's, dimethylpolysiloxane is used as a matter of safety to keep the frying oil from foaming. A review of animal studies by the World Health Organization found no adverse health effects associated with dimethylpolysiloxane. TBHQ is a common preservative for vegetable oils, cereals, nuts, cookies, chips and animal fats, [23] found in other foods such as Girl Scout Cookies [24] and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars. [25] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets an upper limit of 0.02% of the oil or fat content in foods, [26] which like other foods, applies to the oil used in McNuggets. Effective use of TBHQ was 1 gram per 5,000 grams of cooking oil (1 gram per 11.023 pounds of cooking oil).

In culture

McNugget numbers

A mathematical problem, discussed on Eric W. Weisstein's MathWorld [27] and Brady Haran's YouTube channel "Numberphile," [28] is that of determining the greatest number of McNuggets which cannot be made from any combination of pack sizes on offer. For example, in the UK, McNuggets are sold in boxes of 6, 9 or 20 (excluding Happy Meals). Consequently, the greatest number of McNuggets which cannot be purchased exactly is 43, the Frobenius number of the set {6,9,20}. [27] This means that all natural numbers greater than 43 can be expressed, in some way, as the sum of some multiple of each of 6, 9, and 20. For example, 139 = (5 × 20) + (5 × 6) + (1 × 9).

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pasta</span> Cooked dough food in Italian cuisine

Pasta is a type of food typically made from an unleavened dough of wheat flour mixed with water or eggs, and formed into sheets or other shapes, then cooked by boiling or baking. Rice flour, or legumes such as beans or lentils, are sometimes used in place of wheat flour to yield a different taste and texture, or as a gluten-free alternative. Pasta is a staple food of Italian cuisine.

<i>Tempura</i> Japanese dish of battered, deep-fried fish or vegetables

Tempura is a typical Japanese dish that usually consists of seafood and vegetables that have been coated in a thin batter and deep fried.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Malaysia

Malaysian cuisine consists of cooking traditions and practices found in Malaysia, and reflects the multi-ethnic makeup of its population. The vast majority of Malaysia's population can roughly be divided among three major ethnic groups: Malays, Chinese and Indians. The remainder consists of the indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia, the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia, the Peranakan and Eurasian creole communities, as well as a significant number of foreign workers and expatriates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malay cuisine</span> Cuisine of Malay people

Malay cuisine is the traditional food of the ethnic Malays of Southeast Asia, residing in modern-day Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Southern Thailand and the Philippines as well as Cocos Islands, Christmas Island, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veggie burger</span> Non-meat hamburger

A veggie burger is a hamburger made with a patty that does not contain meat, or the patty of such a hamburger. The patty may be made from ingredients like beans, nuts, grains, seeds, or fungi such as mushrooms or mycoprotein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buttermilk Crispy Tenders</span> Food sold by the fast food chain McDonalds

Buttermilk Crispy Tenders were chicken strips sold by the international fast food restaurant chain McDonald's in the United States and Canada. Chicken Selects were introduced in early 1998 for a limited time and offered again in early 2002 and late 2003 and then permanently starting in 2004. In the UK, they were launched on the "Pound Saver Menu", which offers various menu items for £0.99.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shake 'n Bake</span> Flavored bread crumb–style coating

Shake 'n Bake is a seasoned bread crumb coating originally marketed to mimic the flavor and texture of Southern fried chicken. Introduced in 1965 by General Foods, it is currently made under the Kraft Heinz brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghanaian cuisine</span> Overview of culinary traditions of Ghana

Ghanaian cuisines refer to the meals of the Ghanaian people. The main dishes of Ghana are organized around starchy staple foods, which goes with either sauce or soup accompanied with a source of protein. The main ingredients for the vast majority of soups and stews are; tomatoes, hot peppers and onions. Most Ghanaian soups and stews are red or orange in appearance as a result of the main ingredients used.

<i>Karaage</i> Japanese cooking technique

Karaage is a Japanese cooking technique in which various foods—most often chicken, but also other meat and fish—are deep fried in oil. The process involves lightly coating small pieces of the meat or fish with a combination of flour and potato starch or corn starch, and frying in a light oil. The foods are marinated prior to coating. The process differs from the preparation of tempura, which is not marinated and uses a batter for coating. Karaage is often served alone or with rice and shredded cabbage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banana fritter</span> Deep fried battered banana or plantain

A banana fritter is a fritter made by deep frying battered banana or plantain in hot oil. It is a common dish across Southeast Asia and South India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javanese cuisine</span> Cuisine of the Javanese people, Indonesia

Javanese cuisine is the cuisine of Javanese people, a major ethnic group in Indonesia, more precisely the province of Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java.

McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of fast food restaurants, serving around 68 million customers daily in 119 countries. McDonald's traces its origins to a 1940 restaurant in San Bernardino, California. After expanding within the United States, McDonald's became an international corporation in 1967, when it opened a location in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. By the end of the 1970s, McDonald's restaurants existed in five of the Earth's seven continents; an African location came in 1992 in Casablanca, Morocco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flour tortilla</span> Soft, thin flatbread made from wheat flour

A flour tortilla or wheat tortilla is a type of soft, thin flatbread made from finely ground wheat flour. Made with flour- and water-based dough, it is pressed and cooked, similar to corn tortillas. The simplest recipes use only flour, water, fat, and salt, but commercially-made flour tortillas generally contain chemical leavening agents such as baking powder, and other ingredients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Instant noodles</span> Noodles sold in a precooked and dried block with flavoring

Instant noodles, or instant ramen, is a type of food consisting of noodles sold in a precooked and dried block with flavoring powder and/or seasoning oil. The dried noodle block was originally created by flash-frying cooked noodles, and this is still the main method used in Asian countries; air-dried noodle blocks are favored in Western countries. Dried noodle blocks are designed to be cooked or soaked in boiling water before eating. Ramen, a Japanese adaptation of Chinese noodle soup, is sometimes used as a descriptor for instant noodle flavors by some Japanese manufacturers. It has become synonymous in the United States with all instant noodle products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian Indian cuisine</span> Cuisine of ethnic Indian communities of Malaysia

Malaysian Indian cuisine, or the cooking of the ethnic Indian communities in Malaysia, consists of adaptations of authentic dishes from India, as well as original creations inspired by the diverse food culture of Malaysia. Because the vast majority of Malaysia's Indian community are of South Indian descent, and are mostly ethnic Tamils who are descendants of immigrants from a historical region which consists of the modern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka's Northern Province, much of Malaysian Indian cuisine is predominantly South Indian inspired in character and taste. A typical Malaysian Indian dish is likely to be redolent with curry leaves, whole and powdered spice, and contains fresh coconut in various forms. Ghee is still widely used for cooking, although vegetable oils and refined palm oils are now commonplace in home kitchens. Before a meal it is customary to wash hands as cutlery is often not used while eating, with the exception of a serving spoon for each respective dish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qatari cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Qatar

Qatari cuisine is made up of traditional Arab cuisine. Machbūs, a meal consisting of rice, meat, and vegetables, is the national dish in Qatar, typically made with either lamb or chicken and slow-cooked to give it a depth of flavour. Seafood and dates are staple food items in the country. Many of these dishes are also used in other countries in the region, because they share many commonalities. In other parts of the region some of the dishes have different names or use slightly different ingredients. One proponent of the importance of Qatar's culinary heritage is chef Noor Al Mazroei, who adapts traditional recipes to include vegan and gluten-free alternatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prawn cracker</span> Indonesian prawn-flavoured crackers made of tapioca flour

Prawn crackers are a deep fried snack made from starch and prawn. They are a common snack food in Southeast Asian cuisine, but they are most closely associated with Indonesia. They have also been adapted into East Asian cuisines, where the similar Japanese kappa ebisen (かっぱえびせん) (Japan) and Korean saeukkang (Korea) are popular snacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indonesian noodles</span> Indonesian dish

Indonesian noodles are a significant aspect of Indonesian cuisine which is itself very diverse. Indonesian cuisine recognizes many types of noodles, with each region of the country often developing its own distinct recipes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oatmeal Creme Pie</span> Oatmeal cookie sandwich

Oatmeal creme pies were the first Little Debbie snack cake commercially produced by McKee Foods. The snack consists of two soft oatmeal cookies stuffed with fluffy creme filling.

References

  1. Popken, Ben (December 9, 2014). "McDonald's shows how McNuggets are really made". CNBC.com. CNBC . Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  2. Letterman, David (June 4, 1981). "The Tonight Show" . Retrieved August 12, 2017. It's June 1981 and the year is just about half over and I believe that, regardless of what happens from here on out, historians will recount 1981 as the year McDonald's introduced Chicken McNuggets. Now, I think so. Let's assume for a minute that there is a portion of the chicken anatomy that can accurately be described as nuggets. Is this something you want to eat, huh?
  3. "Keystone Foods". MCDONALD'S. May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  4. "Herb Lotman dies at 80; created system for making McDonald's burgers". LATIMES. May 11, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  5. "The Cult of the McRib". MAXIM. February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  6. "History of McDonald's Corporation – FundingUniverse". Fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  7. Goldstein, Paul (February 14, 1984). "Canada more golden for McDonald's arches". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. p. B1.
  8. "From Chicken to McNuggets – McDonalds". McDonalds.ca. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  9. "Why McDonald's Chicken McNuggets Come In Only Four Shapes". Business Insider. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  10. "Here's Why McDonald's Chicken Nuggets Come In 4 Specific Shapes". HuffPost. March 1, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  11. "McDonald's Just Made A Big Change to Its Chicken McNuggets". Fortune.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  12. "Chicken McNuggets". McDonald's. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  13. "Chicken". McDonald's. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  14. Aamoth, Doug. "CrunchDeals: 50 piece Chicken McNuggets bucket for $10 this weekend". Crunch Deals. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  15. "Halal McNuggets a Hit in Detroit". Huda.
  16. "McDonald's Spicy Chicken McNuggets Are Back to Bless Us".
  17. Lamour, Joseph (September 21, 2023). "McDonald's Brings Back Spicy Chicken McNuggets for Limited Time". www.today.com. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  18. Weiser, Benjamin (January 26, 2003). "Word for Word/Fast-Food Fracas; Your Honor, We Call Our Next Witness: McFrankenstein". New York Times. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  19. Weiser, Benjamin (January 26, 2003). "Word for Word/Fast-Food Fracas; Your Honor, We Call Our Next Witness: McFrankenstein". The New York Times.
  20. Morgan Spurlock (2004). Super Size Me .
  21. 1 2 Martin, David (June 25, 2010). "All McNuggets not created equal". CNN. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  22. "McDonald's USA Ingredients Listing for Popular Menu Items" (PDF). McDonalds. October 9, 2010. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 9, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  23. "TBHQ — The most effective choice for vegetable oils". Archived from the original on April 25, 2012.
  24. "Nutrition Information for Girl Scout Cookies".
  25. "Quaker Chewy Granola Bars — Chocolate Chip Nutritional Information". Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  26. "21 C.F.R. § 172.185". Law.justia.com. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  27. 1 2 Weisstein, Eric W. "McNugget Number". MathWorld. Wolfram Research, Inc. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  28. "How to order 43 Chicken McNuggets – Numberphile". Numberphile . Retrieved April 21, 2014.