La Madeleine Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, La Madeleine cooks with: Butter (pastry/bakery); soybean oil (dressings, soups). Across the 70 menu items we analyzed, it averages 3.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of A (Low Risk).
Safest Orders at La Madeleine
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: Tomato Basil Soup (Bowl) + Hot Tea, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Cafe au Lait | 1.0g |
| Tomato Basil Soup (Cup) | 1.0g |
| Fresh Baguette | 1.0g |
| Chocolate Mousse | 2.0g |
| Strawberry Crepe | 2.0g |
What to Avoid at La Madeleine
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Salade Nicoise | 10.0g |
| Tuna Salad Sandwich | 9.0g |
| Caesar Salad | 8.0g |
| Salmon en Papillote | 7.0g |
| Croque Monsieur | 6.0g |
Frequently asked
Does La Madeleine use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, La Madeleine cooks with: Butter (pastry/bakery); soybean oil (dressings, soups). Across the 70 menu items we analyzed, it averages 3.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of A (Low Risk).
What oil does La Madeleine cook with?
Our research indicates: Butter (pastry/bakery); soybean oil (dressings, soups). Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does La Madeleine use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates La Madeleine cooks with Butter (pastry/bakery); soybean oil (dressings, soups), not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is La Madeleine seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates La Madeleine cooks with Butter (pastry/bakery); soybean oil (dressings, soups), which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at La Madeleine?
Cafe au Lait is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at La Madeleine, at an estimated 1.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at La Madeleine?
Salade Nicoise is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at La Madeleine, at an estimated 10.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
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See where La Madeleine lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.