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The US and international formulas are not the same— here's exactly what changed and why.
McDonald's USA
| Ingredient | 🇺🇸 US Version | 🌍 International | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partially Hydrogenated Oils | ✅ Not present | ✅ Not present | Banned Overseas |
The same company makes both versions — but they use different formulas depending on where the product is sold. In the EU, UK, and Canada, regulations require either banning certain additives outright or mandating warning labels (e.g., "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" for certain synthetic dyes).
Rather than print warning labels, most manufacturers reformulate the product for international markets — using natural colorants like paprika extract, beetroot concentrate, or spirulina instead of petroleum-derived synthetic dyes.
The US FDA has a different standard: it deems additives "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) based on older safety data, while EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) applies stricter precautionary principles and requires manufacturers to prove safety rather than assume it.
US McDonald's fries contain hydrogenated soybean oil and a natural beef flavor coating derived from hydrolyzed wheat and milk — meaning they are not suitable for vegans or many vegetarians, contrary to what many consumers assume. Canadian McDonald's fries use non-hydrogenated vegetable oils and do not include the beef flavor derivative. The hydrogenated soybean oil in US fries is a holdover from when partially hydrogenated oils were the primary US frying medium before the FDA's 2018 ban on PHOs in most applications.
Find clean brands without these ingredients — organized by category.