McDonald's Seed Oil Report Card

Ask McDonald's to drop seed oils

23 people have asked so far.

I would eat here more if you dropped seed oils

One tap, anonymous, no signup. We keep each chain's total public so the demand is impossible to ignore.

Safest Orders at McDonald's

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: Burger Patty Only (No Bun) + Apple Slices + Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade Refresher (Small), 0.4g total

Item	PUFA
Burger Patty Only (No Bun)	0.4g
Fruit & Maple Oatmeal	1.0g
Cheeseburger	1.6g
Hamburger	2.1g
Bagel (Plain)	2.1g

What to Avoid at McDonald's

Item	PUFA
Spicy Chicken McNuggets (40 Piece)	67.1g
Chicken McNuggets 40-Piece	54.1g
Spicy Chicken McNuggets (20 Piece)	33.6g
Chicken McNuggets 20-Piece	27.0g
Spicy Chicken McNuggets (10 Piece)	16.3g

Around the world: McDonald's

In Japan, McDonald's cooks with palm oil and beef tallow. In the US: canola, corn and soybean oil. Same chain. Why not here?

We have McDonald's in 96 countries. Here is what it cooks with in each one, and how the same menu items compare.

Items are matched by name, so portions and recipes can differ between countries. Values are estimated grams of seed-oil PUFA per item. Oil notes are as each country's chain discloses them.

Every McDonald's item, ranked

All 255 items we have for McDonald's, safest first. Values are estimated grams of seed-oil PUFA per item.

Item	PUFA
Apple Slices	0.0g
Smoothie - Strawberry Banana	0.0g
Smoothie - Mango Pineapple	0.0g
Fountain Drink	0.0g
Tangy Barbeque Sauce	0.0g
Sweet 'N Sour Sauce	0.0g
Honey	0.0g
Sprite (Medium)	0.0g
Frozen Coca-Cola Classic (Small)	0.0g
Unsweetened Iced Tea (Extra Small)	0.0g
Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice (Small)	0.0g
Diet Coke (Small)	0.0g
Americano (Medium)	0.0g
Americano (Large)	0.0g
Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade Refresher (Small)	0.0g
Mango Pineapple Lemonade Refresher (Medium)	0.0g
Honest Kids Appley Ever After Organic Juice Drink	0.0g
Coca-Cola (Large)	0.0g
Hi-C Orange Lavaburst (Medium)	0.0g
Mango Pineapple Lemonade Refresher (Large)	0.0g
Hi-C Orange Lavaburst (Extra Small)	0.0g
Hi-C Orange Lavaburst (Small)	0.0g
Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice (Large)	0.0g
Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade Refresher (Medium)	0.0g
Mango Pineapple Lemonade Refresher (Small)	0.0g
Blackberry Passion Fruit Lemonade Refresher (Large)	0.0g
Iced Black Coffee (Small)	0.0g
Red Bull Zero Sugar Dragonberry Energizer	0.0g
Sprite (Extra Small)	0.0g
Frozen Coca-Cola Classic (Large)	0.0g
Frozen Fanta Blue Raspberry (Large)	0.0g
Unsweetened Iced Tea (Large)	0.0g
Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade Refresher (Large)	0.0g
Iced Black Coffee (Medium)	0.0g
Diet Coke (Medium)	0.0g
Hot Tea (Small)	0.0g
Hot Tea (Medium)	0.0g
Iced Black Coffee (Large)	0.0g
Coca-Cola (Small)	0.0g
Lemonade (Large)	0.0g
Premium Roast Coffee (Small)	0.0g
Frozen Fanta Blue Raspberry (Small)	0.0g
Frozen Fanta Blue Raspberry (Medium)	0.0g
Unsweetened Iced Tea (Medium)	0.0g
Blackberry Passion Fruit Lemonade Refresher (Small)	0.0g
Sprite (Small)	0.0g
Diet Coke (Extra Small)	0.0g
Diet Coke (Large)	0.0g
Americano (Small)	0.0g
Coca-Cola (Medium)	0.0g
Premium Roast Coffee (Large)	0.0g
Sprite (Large)	0.0g
Frozen Coca-Cola Classic (Medium)	0.0g
Lemonade (Small)	0.0g
Lemonade (Medium)	0.0g
Unsweetened Iced Tea (Small)	0.0g
Premium Roast Coffee (Medium)	0.0g
Red Bull Dragonberry Energizer	0.0g
Coca-Cola (Extra Small)	0.0g
Hi-C Orange Lavaburst (Large)	0.0g
Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice (Medium)	0.0g
Blackberry Passion Fruit Lemonade Refresher (Medium)	0.0g
DASANI Water	0.0g
Frozen Hawaiian Punch (Small)	0.0g
Dr Pepper (Large)	0.0g
Dr Pepper (Medium)	0.0g
Mighty Hot Sauce	0.0g
Premium Roast Decaf Coffee (Medium)	0.0g
Premium Roast Decaf Coffee (Small)	0.0g
Frozen Hawaiian Punch (Large)	0.0g
Dr Pepper (Small)	0.0g
Sweet Tea (Extra Small)	0.0g
Sweet Tea (Medium)	0.0g
Premium Roast Decaf Coffee (Large)	0.0g
Dr Pepper (Extra Small)	0.0g
Sweet Tea (Large)	0.0g
Frozen Hawaiian Punch (Medium)	0.0g
Sweet Tea (Small)	0.0g
Hot Tea (Large)	0.0g
Smoothie - Mango Pineapple (Large)	0.1g
1% Low Fat Milk Jug	0.1g
Smoothie - Strawberry Banana (Large)	0.1g
Smoothie - Mango Pineapple (Medium)	0.1g
Reduced Sugar Low Fat Chocolate Milk Jug	0.1g
Smoothie - Strawberry Banana (Medium)	0.1g
Iced Latte (Small)	0.2g
French Vanilla Cappuccino (Small)	0.2g
Iced Caramel Latte (Small)	0.2g
Caramel Cappuccino (Small)	0.2g
Vanilla Cone	0.3g
Premium Roast Iced Coffee	0.3g
Cappuccino (Small)	0.3g
Caramel Macchiato (Small)	0.3g
Iced Caramel Macchiato (Medium)	0.3g
French Vanilla Latte (Small)	0.3g
French Vanilla Cappuccino (Medium)	0.3g
Iced Caramel Macchiato (Small)	0.3g
Premium Roast Iced Coffee (Medium)	0.3g
Iced Caramel Coffee (Small)	0.3g
Iced French Vanilla Coffee (Small)	0.3g
Iced Caramel Latte (Medium)	0.3g
Caramel Cappuccino (Medium)	0.3g
Iced Latte (Medium)	0.3g
Iced Caramel Coffee (Medium)	0.3g
Iced French Vanilla Coffee (Medium)	0.3g
Caramel Sundae	0.4g
Caramel Latte	0.4g
Burger Patty Only (No Bun)	0.4g
Iced Caramel Coffee (Large)	0.4g
Iced French Vanilla Coffee (Large)	0.4g
Cappuccino (Medium)	0.4g
French Vanilla Latte (Medium)	0.4g
Iced Caramel Latte (Large)	0.4g
Caramel Cappuccino (Large)	0.4g
French Vanilla Cappuccino (Large)	0.4g
Latte (Small)	0.4g
Caramel Macchiato (Medium)	0.4g
Iced Latte (Large)	0.4g
Caramel Latte (Medium)	0.4g
Premium Roast Iced Coffee (Large)	0.4g
Hot Fudge Sundae	0.5g
Mocha Latte	0.5g
Iced Caramel Macchiato (Large)	0.5g
Cappuccino (Large)	0.5g
Latte (Medium)	0.5g
Iced Mocha Latte (Small)	0.5g
Caramel Macchiato (Large)	0.5g
Hot Chocolate	0.6g
French Vanilla Latte (Large)	0.6g
Iced Mocha Latte (Medium)	0.6g
Caramel Latte (Large)	0.6g
Latte (Large)	0.6g
Mocha Latte (Medium)	0.6g
Vanilla Shake (Small)	0.7g
Strawberry Shake (Small)	0.7g
Vanilla Shake (Medium)	0.8g
Chocolate Shake (Small)	0.8g
Mocha Latte (Large)	0.8g
Hot Chocolate (Medium)	0.8g
Iced Mocha Latte (Large)	0.8g
Chocolate Chip Cookie	0.9g
Caramel Frappe	0.9g
Mocha Frappe	0.9g
Hot Mustard Sauce	0.9g
Chocolate Shake (Medium)	0.9g
Strawberry Shake (Medium)	0.9g
Fruit & Maple Oatmeal	1.0g
McFlurry with M&M's	1.0g
Vanilla Shake (Large)	1.0g
Caramel Apple Pie Frappe (Small)	1.0g
Mocha Frappe (Medium)	1.1g
Chocolate Shake (Large)	1.1g
Strawberry Shake (Large)	1.1g
Caramel Frappe (Medium)	1.1g
Hot Chocolate (Large)	1.1g
Baked Apple Pie	1.2g
Blueberry & Crème Pie	1.4g
Mocha Frappe (Large)	1.4g
Caramel Frappe (Large)	1.4g
Cheeseburger	1.6g
Caramel Apple Pie Iced Latte (Small)	1.7g
Caramel Apple Pie Iced Latte (Large)	1.7g
Caramel Apple Pie Iced Latte (Medium)	1.7g
Caramel Apple Pie Latte (Large)	1.7g
Caramel Apple Pie Latte (Medium)	1.7g
Spicy Buffalo Sauce	1.8g
Caramel Apple Pie Iced Coffee (Small)	1.8g
Reduced Sugar Vanilla Swirl with Diet Coke (Small)	1.9g
Dirty Dr Pepper (Small)	1.9g
Orange Dream with Fanta (Small)	1.9g
Sprite Berry Blast (Small)	1.9g
Orange Dream with Hi-C (Small)	1.9g
Vanilla Swirl with Coke (Small)	1.9g
Side Salad	2.0g
French Vanilla Frappe	2.0g
Honey Mustard Sauce	2.0g
Hamburger	2.1g
McFlurry with OREO Cookies	2.1g
Bagel (Plain)	2.1g
Caramel Apple Pie Iced Coffee (Medium)	2.1g
Caramel Apple Pie Iced Coffee (Large)	2.1g
Dirty Dr Pepper (Medium)	2.2g
Reduced Sugar Vanilla Swirl with Diet Coke (Medium)	2.2g
Orange Dream with Fanta (Medium)	2.2g
Vanilla Swirl with Coke (Medium)	2.2g
Orange Dream with Hi-C (Medium)	2.2g
Sprite Berry Blast (Medium)	2.2g
Caramel Apple Pie Frappe (Medium)	2.2g
Caramel Apple Pie Frappe (Large)	2.2g
Egg & Cheese Biscuit	2.3g
Egg McMuffin	2.4g
McDouble	2.7g
Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit	2.9g
World Famous Fries (Kids)	2.9g
Vanilla Swirl with Coke (Large)	2.9g
Sprite Berry Blast (Large)	2.9g
Orange Dream with Hi-C (Large)	2.9g
Orange Dream with Fanta (Large)	2.9g
Reduced Sugar Vanilla Swirl with Diet Coke (Large)	2.9g
Dirty Dr Pepper (Large)	2.9g
Double Cheeseburger	3.0g
Quarter Pounder with Cheese	3.1g
Sausage Burrito	3.3g
Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles	3.8g
Big Mac Sauce	4.0g
Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese	4.1g
Hash Browns	4.6g
Hotcakes	4.7g
Sausage Biscuit	5.0g
Sausage McGriddle	5.0g
Ranch Snack Wrap (Grilled)	5.0g
Sausage McMuffin	5.5g
Mayonnaise	5.5g
Chicken McNuggets 4-Piece	5.8g
Sausage Biscuit with Egg	6.0g
Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese	6.0g
Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel	6.0g
World Famous Fries (Small)	6.4g
Sausage McMuffin with Egg	6.5g
Double Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese	6.5g
Creamy Chili McCrispy Strip Dip	6.6g
Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles	6.8g
Creamy Ranch Sauce	7.0g
Spicy Snack Wrap	7.0g
Egg & Cheese Bagel	7.1g
McCrispy	7.3g
Caesar Dipping Sauce	7.8g
Ranch Snack Wrap (Crispy)	7.9g
Chicken McNuggets 6-Piece	8.2g
Hotcakes and Sausage	8.3g
World Famous Fries (Medium)	8.7g
Big Breakfast	9.0g
Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe	9.2g
Sausage, Egg & Cheese Bagel	9.4g
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel	9.5g
Filet-O-Fish	9.8g
Spicy Chicken McNuggets (6 Piece)	9.8g
Big Breakfast with Hotcakes	11.0g
Big Mac	11.3g
McChicken	11.4g
McCrispy Strips (3 Piece)	11.6g
Big Arch	12.0g
Double Big Mac	13.0g
Chicken McNuggets 10-Piece	13.1g
World Famous Fries (Large)	13.3g
Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich	14.9g
Spicy McCrispy	14.9g
Deluxe McCrispy	14.9g
Spicy Deluxe McCrispy	14.9g
McCrispy Strips (4 Piece)	15.1g
Spicy Chicken McNuggets (10 Piece)	16.3g
Chicken McNuggets 20-Piece	27.0g
Spicy Chicken McNuggets (20 Piece)	33.6g
Chicken McNuggets 40-Piece	54.1g
Spicy Chicken McNuggets (40 Piece)	67.1g

Fry Oil History at McDonald's

Cooking in canola, corn and soy oil blend since May 2008.

Every documented oil switch across the industry lives on the Oil History timeline.

Frequently asked

Does McDonald's use seed oils?

Based on our menu research, McDonald's cooks with: canola and soybean oil. Across the 255 menu items we analyzed, it averages 2.9g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of A (Low Risk).

What oil does McDonald's cook with?

Our research indicates: canola-corn-soybean oil blend with natural beef flavoring (fries); no US beef tallow switch as of 2026 despite 2025 speculation. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.

Does McDonald's use beef tallow?

No. Our research indicates McDonald's cooks with canola and soybean oil, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.

Is McDonald's seed oil free?

No. Our research indicates McDonald's cooks with canola and soybean oil, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.

What is the safest thing to order at McDonald's?

Burger Patty Only (No Bun) is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at McDonald's, at an estimated 0.4g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.

What should I avoid at McDonald's?

Spicy Chicken McNuggets (40 Piece) is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at McDonald's, at an estimated 67.1g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.

Compare other chains

Burger King · Wendy's · Five Guys · In-N-Out Burger · Whataburger · Culver's

See where McDonald's 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.