Yes, McDonald's fries in Australia are generally considered vegan as they contain no animal ingredients and are cooked in vegetable oils (canola/sunflower), but McDonald's Australia officially states no menu item is certified vegan due to a risk of cross-contamination with dairy/egg during preparation, so they aren't suitable for strict vegans or those with allergies.
Australia McDonald's fries in Australia are vegan because they don't contain animal ingredients and are cooked in vegetable oils. However, there's a risk of cross- contamination with egg and dairy products, so they might not be suitable for people with allergies.
(Both restaurants acknowledge that their fries are cooked in the same oil as other meat or fish products.) McDonald's fries, however, are made with a flavoring that includes hydrolyzed milk — a non-vegan ingredient.
We only use the highest quality potatoes to create those delicious strands of crispy fluffiness that you love, now fried in a superior and healthier blend including canola and sunflower oils.
McDonald's offers limited vegan options, with availability varying significantly by country, but generally includes fries, hash browns, salads (without dressing), and sometimes the McPlant burger in international markets like the UK and Germany, though the US menu is less vegan-friendly, and cross-contamination is a concern everywhere.
Sides/extras: Side salad including dressing. Chips - The chips are now vegan in Australia as of 1st October 2018. Corn cobs.
The items on our menu that are free from ingredients containing gluten include our French Fries, which are cooked in dedicated fryers using a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil; Hash Browns; Fruit Bags; Carrot Sticks and Shaker Side Salad® with Balsamic Dressing; as well as some McFlurry® desserts, such as the Crunchie and ...
The product and the cooking method have been checked by the Vegetarian Society and they have approved them as suitable for vegetarians. They are cooked in oil that is separate to the oil used for meat products and filtered on a separate system. Was this article helpful?
The unhealthiest item at McDonald's is often cited as the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes, packing over 1,300 calories, nearly a full day's sodium, and significant saturated fat, making it a calorie and nutrient bomb, with other contenders including large shakes, certain Angus burgers, and large fries.
In Australia, McDonald's fries are made with potatoes, canola oil, dextrose, (may contain) sodium metabisulphate and antioxidant 306 – also known as Vitamin E.
VEGAN ITEMS AT MCDONALDS:
Apple slices: a reliable side/snack. Baked Apple Pie: Now free from animal-derived ingredients. However, please double-check cooking-oil or cross-contact in your location if that's a concern. Fruit & Maple Oatmeal: if you request it without cream or dairy.
The swap began in 1990 when the company ditched beef fat due to health concerns about saturated fats. For years, this compromise allowed vegetarians to enjoy McDonald's fries while vegans still had to steer clear. However, this delicate balance ended in February 2025 when McDonald's announced its return to beef tallow.
McDonald's originally used beef tallow for their fries, but moved to a vegetable oil blend in 1990 for health reasons. Recently, many people, including RFK Jr, have stated that vegetable oils are responsible for much of the US's health concerns and that beef tallow would be better for people's health.
Despite numerous protests—and lawsuits—McDonald's fries aren't and never have been, vegan or vegetarian. "But how can that be?" you may ask. "French fries are made from potatoes and fried in oil, so where's the harm?" (Surprise: there's beef in the oil.)
Now that the sting of miracle french fries has passed, you may be wondering, “But what about the fries?” As we mentioned before dimethylpolysiloxane (or PDMS) is the silicone compound McDonald's uses in its french fries to prevent the oil from foaming.
Our range of vegan-friendly items contain no animal products (meat, dairy or eggs), and we've got procedures in place to prevent cross contamination when frying, grilling and handling. Options include: Our Chips (even our salt! Double tick!!)
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McPlant® A vegan burger made with a juicy plant-based patty co-developed with Beyond Meat® featuring vegan sandwich sauce, ketchup, mustard, onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and a vegan alternative to cheese in a sesame seed bun. Vegan certified.
McDonald's Hash Browns are not vegan or vegetarian.
They're not vegan or vegetarian
To ensure the great-tasting and recognizable flavor we all love, McDonald's now uses a canola oil blend that contains beef flavoring.
McDonald's Australia state on their website: “Unfortunately, McDonald's can't guarantee any food items are free from nuts or gluten. There is always a risk that allergens may be transferred to our ingredients during transportation, storage or preparation in our kitchens.”
McDonald's offers limited vegan options, with availability varying significantly by country, but generally includes fries, hash browns, salads (without dressing), and sometimes the McPlant burger in international markets like the UK and Germany, though the US menu is less vegan-friendly, and cross-contamination is a concern everywhere.
Ask your server about the ingredients if you're visiting a smaller chain or a local fast-food establishment.