McDonald's Filet-O-Fish is generally not considered strictly halal in most Western countries like the US, UK, or Australia due to potential cross-contamination with chicken products in the shared fryers and lack of specific halal certification, although the fish itself is permissible (halal) and cooked in a dedicated fryer, but oil filtration creates risk. In some Muslim-majority regions (like the UAE) or specific certified restaurants elsewhere, it might be halal, so checking for local certification or McDonald's corporate statements for your specific country is essential.
McDonald's U.K. does not currently serve any halal certified menu items. Was this article helpful?
Cheeseburger. A juicy, 100% pure halal beef patty with absolutely no fillers, additives or preservatives, seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper, and topped with a tangy pickle, chopped onions, ketchup, mustard, and a slice of melty American cheese.
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.
According to the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali branches of Islam, all fish and shellfish would be halal. According to the Shi'i branch of Islam, Fish that has scales is halal, but animals that live both in the water and on land are not permissible (for example, frogs may not be eaten).
Generally, Shia scholars permit only fish that have scales and shrimp, considering them Halal. Other shellfish like crabs, lobsters, and mollusks are often deemed haram. This distinction is based on specific Hadiths considered authoritative and interpretations of religious texts within the Shia tradition.
Made with 100% wild-caught Alaska Pollock, the Filet-O-Fish sandwich from McDonald's is packed with protein and always sustainably sourced.
Yes, the cheese used in our Filet-o-Fish® is indeed suitable for vegetarians. You may be interested to note, however, that although the Filet-o-Fish® patty is fried in the restaurants in non-hydrogenated vegetable oil, this oil could come into contact with oil that has been used to fry our chicken products.
Ingredients: Pollock, Water, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Wheat Flour, Modified Food Starch, Contains 2% Or Less: Yellow Corn Flour, Bleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Whey (milk), Dextrose, Dried Yeast, Sugar, Cellulose Gum, Paprika And Turmeric Extract (color), Natural Flavors ...
McDonald's in Australia isn't fully halal across all stores, but select locations offer certified halal options, particularly in areas with large Muslim populations like parts of Sydney (Auburn, Bankstown) and some in Perth, where specific certificates are displayed for items like chicken and beef, requiring you to check for the halal menu in-store or via apps.
Muslims can eat at McDonald's depending on the location and specific items, as some countries (like in the Middle East) offer certified Halal meat, while in others (like the US/UK), it's generally not considered fully Halal due to cross-contamination concerns with pork and lack of specific certification, requiring Muslims to rely on veggie options or choose locations known to meet strict Halal standards.
We set ourselves high standards across all our restaurants and with our suppliers. As part of our commitment to maintaining these standards, we work closely with the Halal Food Authority, who accredit and regularly audit our Halal restaurants.
Certification-wise, the sandwich is certified as halal in the UAE and a few other Muslim-majority countries; it is also available in kosher-supervised restaurants of McDonald's Israel. However, not all Israeli locations are certified and stores in the UK and the US do not participate in certification.
Yes, all McDonald's restaurants in Singapore are Halal-certified by MUIS (The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore).
The fish comes from sustainable sources, and McDonald's was the first fast food restaurant to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.
Although the Tartare Sauce used in our Filet-o-Fish® is suitable for vegetarians, it is not Halal. (We do not currently serve any halal certified menu items in the U.K.)
(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 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®?
Most Sunni Muslim schools of jurisprudence (Shafi'i, Hanbali, and Maliki) hold as a general rule that all "sea game" (animals of the sea) are permissible to eat with a few minor exceptions.
From a health perspective, the Filet-O-Fish and McChicken sit within a similar nutritional range. However, the McChicken's higher fat content may be a consideration for those mindful of their intake. The Filet-O-Fish offers a leaner alternative, albeit by a slim margin.
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.
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.
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.