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Mcdonald's "cannot Disclose Allergen Information?"

IngridBeth

By IngridBeth
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

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IngridBeth Apprentice
IngridBeth
Posted

Arrgh, I am frustrated!!! Today I was running back-to-school errands with the kids, and though we don't often do fast food we swung by McDonald's for some lunch. I asked them about gluten-free info, and the girl had no idea what I was talking about so she got the manager. He just showed me a "nutrition information" list which had only fat and calorie info, etc. I told him this has nothing to do with gluten free info - it's a wheat allergy and I need to know what contains it what doesn't. The manager informed me they are not allowed to disclose allergen information "in case you're allergic to something else in the product." So, they won't tell me what has no gluten because I might be allergic to casein and not know it? This makes NO sense! I kidn of interpreted it as "we don't want to get sued," but really, this is just ridiculous. I know the food there is not healthy, as one friend pointed out, but it's the principle of the thing. Even if they had no gluten free food that would be one thing, but to not be able to even tell me? I would assume others with Celiac must have encountered this, right?

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Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Arrgh, I am frustrated!!! Today I was running back-to-school errands with the kids, and though we don't often do fast food we swung by McDonald's for some lunch. I asked them about gluten-free info, and the girl had no idea what I was talking about so she got the manager. He just showed me a "nutrition information" list which had only fat and calorie info, etc. I told him this has nothing to do with gluten free info - it's a wheat allergy and I need to know what contains it what doesn't. The manager informed me they are not allowed to disclose allergen information "in case you're allergic to something else in the product." So, they won't tell me what has no gluten because I might be allergic to casein and not know it? This makes NO sense! I kidn of interpreted it as "we don't want to get sued," but really, this is just ridiculous. I know the food there is not healthy, as one friend pointed out, but it's the principle of the thing. Even if they had no gluten free food that would be one thing, but to not be able to even tell me? I would assume others with Celiac must have encountered this, right?

McDonald's is pretty good about disclosing all ingredients. Here is a listing of their products and their contents:

Open Original Shared Link

Wendy's:

Open Original Shared Link

Darissa Contributor
Darissa
Posted

The same thing happened to me when I first went gluten free. I was working, on the road, and stopped in during their breakfast. I was wondering about the sausage and eggs or any other options. I didn't know much about gluten free, as it had only been a couple of months at that time since going gluten free. I was told the same thing by the store manager. The manager did tell me they did not disclose any allergy information inside the actual McDonalds, but that there was information online I could look up on my own. We have never eaten at McDonalds since going gluten free, and probably never will. So, I have visited the online site since, but have not been back to the resturant.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

I can attest that beginning the gluten free lifestyle is challenging at best. It takes months and months to learn the ropes and additional months until you can master the diet. It takes countless hours on the internet and a memory like a steel trap to retain all the information.

A burn out it not unnatural, but rather the expected.

Take small steps:

1. Find everyday foods, at home.

2. Research one place that you can eat out, if needed. Expand with research.

3. Be kind to restaurants. Call before the rush. Talk to the manager and do your homework

before hand. And don't assume that every minimum wage employee knows about Celiac or a gluten

issue. No one knows more than you.

4. Take a deep breath...know that the world does not evolve around you and that other people

with Celiac Disease will follow you. REPRESENT WELL!

5. SMILE!

It is a struggle. What IS important....be patient with yourself. :)

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted

I don't trust McDonald's at all because they were not truthful in the past about their ingredients. If for some reason we did have to eat there, I would get the apples because they are pre-packaged and I know they are safe. I might also get a side salad if they had one. Not all of them do. And a drink. But nothing else.

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