There isn't one definitive "least" country, but nations like Bhutan, due to cultural emphasis on localism and health, and many developing nations in Africa (e.g., Togo, Madagascar) or isolated island states have very limited or no major Western fast-food presence, focusing more on traditional diets, while others like North Korea or Cuba also lack widespread chains, suggesting low consumption.
The fast food landscape has shifted dramatically, with the United States firmly claiming the title as the world's most fast food obsessed country in 2024.
In 2018, 36% of Australian adults reported eating fast-food meals 1 to 3 times a week (30).
The document lists the top 10 countries with the highest daily consumption of junk food, with the United States ranked first. The other countries included are France, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden.
Although the fast-food restaurant seems to have its presence everywhere, there are about 90 countries without it. Some of these countries once had McDonald's but it had to close down due to either economic or political reasons. Below are some of the countries without McDonald's restaurants.
McDonald's is banned in Bermuda
In 1977, Bermuda put the Foreign Restaurants Act into effect, disallowing international chains from operating on the island.
Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Montenegro – alongside countries like North Korea, Bermuda, and Iran – are McDonald's-free.
There's no single "number 1" unhealthy food, but ultra-processed items like sugary drinks, processed meats (bacon, hot dogs), deep-fried foods (fries), and refined snacks (donuts, chips, sugary cereals) consistently top lists due to high sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and additives linked to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. These items offer little nutritional value while increasing risks for chronic diseases.
South Korea's policies encourage prevention and food waste recycling. The country banned food waste disposal in landfills in 2005 and implemented mandatory composting for all generators, including individuals, in 2013.
The 2-hour/4-hour rule in Australia is a food safety guideline for potentially hazardous foods (like meat, dairy, cooked rice) held in the "temperature danger zone" (between 5°C and 60°C). If food is out for under 2 hours, it can be refrigerated or used. If out for 2 to 4 hours, it must be used immediately (cannot be refrigerated). If out for over 4 hours, it must be discarded to prevent bacteria growth.
A new study has found in five years' time Australians are likely to be eating more junk food and less fruit and vegetables. Right now we are eating about four serves of "discretionary foods" high in salt, fat, and sugar daily, and CSIRO research has found that was likely to increase 18 per cent by 2030.
KFC's brand is ranked #130 in the list of Global Top 1000 Brands, as rated by customers of KFC. Their current valuation is $32.95B. McDonald's's brand is ranked #85 in the list of Global Top 100 Brands, as rated by customers of McDonald's. Their current valuation is $167.91B.
Let's check out 7 of the weirdest travel foods around the world.
Fast food consumption was higher among non-Hispanic black adults (42.4%) compared with non-Hispanic white (37.6%), non-Hispanic Asian (30.6%), and Hispanic (35.5%) adults (Figure 2). A higher percentage of non-Hispanic white adults consumed fast food compared with non-Hispanic Asian adults.
Sweden has reached a point where it doesn't produce enough trash of its own. As a result, the country now imports garbage from other nations to keep its advanced recycling and waste-to-energy plants operating at full capacity. Over 99% of Sweden's household waste is recycled or converted into energy.
Globally, the three countries with the most food waste in 2022 were China – over 108 million tonnes –, India – over 78 million tonnes – and Pakistan – over 30 million tonnes. These figures refer to food waste generated by households. The United States and Brazil are also in the global top 10.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) adds about 33 minutes to your healthy lifespan per serving, according to a University of Michigan study that measured life expectancy impacts of over 5,850 foods using the Health Nutritional Index (HNI). This sandwich tops the list for adding time, with nuts and seeds also being highly beneficial (around 25 mins) and processed items like hot dogs subtracting time.
The 2-2-2 food rule is a simple guideline for leftover safety: get cooked food into the fridge within 2 hours, eat it within 2 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months to prevent bacteria growth, keeping it out of the temperature "danger zone" (40-140°F or 5-60°C).
1. Almonds. There you have it — the humble almond can be considered the most nutrient-dense food on the planet. Used to the spotlight by now, almonds have been at the center of multiple studies on heart health and diabetes-related benefits.
Malaysia didn't just boycott McDonald's — it built its own. In response to the Gaza war and US support for Israel, entrepreneur Lailatul Sarahjana Mohd Ismail launched Ahmad's Fried Chicken as a local alternative.
It was completely due to the financial crisis. McDonald's locations in Iceland were ultimately converted to a local chain called Metro with a roughly similar menu but ingredients that come from within the country itself.
The main barriers are practical. McDonald's needs a strong cold chain system to keep food fresh, but Bangladesh's storage and supply network is still limited. The brand also requires large investments for franchise fees, construction, and equipment, which may not suit a price-sensitive market like ours.