McDonald's uses wild-caught fish that is flash-frozen at sea, not "fresh" fish that has never been frozen. The fish is frozen on board the fishing vessel to maintain quality and is then shipped to restaurants in frozen, breaded portions.
The Alaskan pollock in Filet-O-Fish is surprisingly fresh
Mike Haracz, a former McDonald's corporate chef, explains on TikTok that pollock is caught, then quickly filleted and flash-frozen on board the fishing vessel.
We use wild-caught Alaska Pollock for our Filet-O-Fish® sandwich in the U.S., which is 100% sourced from sustainable fisheries. Why is sustainable fish so important to us? Because it helps protect our oceans—something that's important to you. Interested in learning more about the Filet-O-Fish®?
Globally, 99% of the fish sourced for Filet-O-Fish sandwiches come from sustainably managed, wild caught fisheries. (We're working to get that number up to 100%!) In the U.S., Filet-O-Fish sandwiches are made with 100% wild-caught Alaska Pollock that's also always sustainably sourced.
The Pollock and Hoki used in our fish portions is caught in some of the world's cleanest waters. We only use quality 100% Australian RSPCA Approved chicken, supplied by familiar brands like Baiada and Inghams.
The Bering Sea is one of the best places to catch wild Alaskan Pollock. McDonald's is another. From the dock at Dutch Harbor, Kenny Longaker sets out on his boat, the Defender, to catch the wild Alaskan Pollock used in the Filet-O-Fish® sandwich. Alaskan Pollock is a fast-growing species.
In Australia, the most common fish for fish and chips is flake, which is typically gummy shark, known for its soft, boneless white flesh; other popular choices include ** Barramundi, Flathead, Whiting, Snapper, and Bream**, with cheaper options like Basa sometimes used, but local catches are often preferred for quality.
The Filet-O-Fish from McDonald's is a relatively healthy option compared to other fast foods, thanks to its nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Although frying reduces some of its nutritional value, it can be customized to reduce calories and sodium, despite the cheese and tartar sauce.
Product description. The fish used for the Filet-O-Fish patty in various markets is as follows: United States – As of May 2020, contains a battered, fried fish fillet made from Alaska pollock.
You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that the piece of fish in your Filet-O-Fish is indeed an actual fish filet, rather than the processed minced fish blend used to make fish sticks.
You might be quick to assume that a fillet will be made of fashionable ingredients. But surprise surprise, this humble fish burger is indeed made of real fish.
Pollock is a member of the cod family. They can grow as long as 3 feet but typically reach lengths between 12 and 20 inches and weigh between 1 and 3 pounds. They have speckled coloring that helps them blend in with the seafloor to avoid predators.
Six of those chemicals – dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate and didecyl phthalate – were detected in the Filet-O-Fish box tested by Symbio Laboratories. All six chemicals have been linked to an increased risk of impaired male reproductive development.
“The fish destined for your McD's sandwich are wild- caught as opposed to being farm-raised, and the strict regulations that govern the industry have made this not only one of the most sustainable fish but a fish population that isn't susceptible to overfishing and one that leads to almost no bycatch.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, these include:
Made with 100% wild-caught Alaska Pollock, the Filet-O-Fish sandwich from McDonald's is packed with protein and always sustainably sourced.
Ingredients: Alaska Pollock Fillet (Allergen Ingredient: FISH) (75%), Allergen Ingredient: WHEAT Flour, Water, Allergen Ingredient: Modified WHEAT Starch, Corn Flour, Salt, Corn Starch, Yeast, Thickener (Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose). Prepared in the restaurants using non-hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Burger King's Big Fish Sandwich is 100% Wild Alaskan Pollock, breaded with crispy panko breading and topped with sweet tartar sauce, tangy pickles, all on top of a toasted brioche-style bun... just right for tonight!
The healthiest options at McDonald's focus on grilled chicken, lean beef, and strategic modifications like skipping sauces, with good choices including the Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich, a 6-piece Chicken McNuggets (with lighter sauce), a Plain Hamburger, or the Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, often paired with sides like apple slices and water instead of fries and soda, says Healthline and myorthrive.com.
FISH PORTION: Fish (Pollock), Water, Wheat Flour , Modified Food Starch (1422), Yellow Corn Flour, Bleached Wheat Flour , Salt, Whey , Cellulose Gum, Dextrose, Dried Yeast, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Paprika Extract (160c), Turmeric Extract (100), Black Pepper (Natural Flavouring)].
Nutritionally, the Filet-O-Fish is healthier than most other fast food burger staples – by comparison, a McDonald's Quarter Pounder has five times more saturated fat, nearly three times more sugar and double the salt. Taste-wise, the Filet-O-Fish's subtlety befits its fancy French-sounding name.
- Herring, pilchards, whitebait, sardines and anchovies are all wild and will never be farmed. They're cheap and the equivalent of a briny superfood.
Ingredients. Beer battered cod fillets: 4 175g thick cod fillets.
The healthiest fish in Australia are oily fish rich in omega-3s and low in mercury, like salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, and canned salmon/sardines, alongside white fish such as barramundi, snapper, and flathead, which offer protein and nutrients; prioritize grilling, baking, or steaming for healthy preparation.