...By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Fast food company McDonald’s has denied claims by animal rights group Peta that its fries are not suitable for vegetarians after footage of the chips being cooked in beef stock was shared on TikTok.
While the claim is true in some countries, including the US, McDonald’s said it does not apply in the UK, where the fries are produced from Russet Burbank, Pentland Dell and Shepody potatoes by McCain’s, and are not cooked in beef stock.
McDonald’s UK website states: “The fries are not coated in any fats or substances from an animal.”
The company has also introduced vegan options, including the McPlant burger.
The claim from Peta, which has the full name People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was enough to spark unease among some heavy users of McDonald’s.
“Wait.. whaaaat!? I’m vegan and all I can eat from McDonald’s are fries,” said one TikTok user.
There was also further bad news for fried food after a study by researchers in Hangzhou, China, suggested eaters of fried foods, and chips in particular, had a 12% higher risk of anxiety and a 7% higher risk of depression than those who did not eat them.
The researchers followed 140,728 people over 11.3 years and discovered that those consuming several servings of fried food were more likely to be young men.
McDonald’s issued its denial after Peta’s initial claim was highlighted by Jordan the Stallion, another TikTok user.
