McDonald's hasn't stopped making the Filet-O-Fish; it's a year-round menu staple, especially popular during Lent, though it was temporarily replaced in 1996 by the Fish Filet Deluxe before customer demand brought it back with a larger patty. The sandwich's continued availability relies on sourcing sustainable fish, primarily Alaska Pollock, due to declining cod and hoki stocks, and managing operational challenges like cooking consistency.
McDonald's actually removed the Filet-O-Fish from its menus briefly in 1996, and replaced it with the Fish Filet Deluxe sandwich, which was part of the chains Deluxe Line of sandwiches. It was brought back to its menus on a gradual basis starting in the middle of 1997!
McDonald's list " Pollock " as the fish they use on their site.
In 2013, McDonald's switched from cod to Alaskan pollock. Fortunately, Alaskan pollock tastes similar to cod—both are whitefish with a mild flavor, perfect with a slice of cheese and tartar sauce.
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.
McChicken
The grilled McChicken sandwich has fewer calories and grams of fat than the McDonald's Quarterpounder. Paired with apple slices, this can increase your protein intake while not ingesting as much sodium as when you eat other burger options.
Made with 100% wild-caught Alaska Pollock, the Filet-O-Fish sandwich from McDonald's is packed with protein and always sustainably sourced.
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.
It played to my Chinese palate: While other McDonald's buns were toasted, the Filet-O-Fish's was steamed, much like the baozi. From its honeyed starch to its tangy tartar and savory fillet, the taste of the Filet-O-Fish carries an ineffable umami-ness.
Burger King Big Fish Sandwich | Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers.
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.
Australia offers fantastic fish like Barramundi, Coral Trout, Snapper, Flathead, and King George Whiting, prized for their firm texture and mild, sweet flavours, though taste is subjective and depends on location and preparation. Other favorites include Mahi Mahi, Spanish Mackerel, and Yellowtail Kingfish, while Atlantic Salmon (farmed) and Prawns are popular choices, with sustainability guides like GoodFish helping choose better options.
Hoki and flathead are popular white fish for eating, but differ in flavor, texture, and sustainability: Hoki is affordable, mild, flaky, great for fish & chips (often imported), while Flathead offers a sweeter, more delicate taste, firm texture, and is prized (especially local varieties like Rock Flathead) but pricier and sometimes less sustainable depending on origin, with Rock Flathead often a top sustainable choice in Australia.
More operating hours typically yield more sales, and McDonald's has been working with franchisees for months on the late-night hours. There will be some restrictions on the menu during late-night hours, with items like the Double Filet O' Fish unavailable for logistical reasons.
With the NEW Double Filet-O-Fish® making waves, we wanted to share some Filet-O-Facts 👇 Did you know that the 100% Alaskan Pollock in our Filet-O-Fish® is sustainably sourced from MSC-certified fisheries?
In China however, KFC set itself up an aspirational place to go to. Much like India, China has a huge concept of street food. So when a foreign brand offered their products in a sit-down restaurant at pocket friendly prices, the Chinese loved the concept! Their insights paid off, and China fell in love with KFC.
The Wendy's fish sandwich is crunchier and better quality fish, but the limp lettuce leaf and lifeless pickles and mayo on top detract mightily.
Frying fish may reduce the amount of healthy omega-3 fatty acids in the fish, so eating raw fish can be a great way to get as many Omega-3 fats as possible. Seafood that tops the charts for Omega-3 fatty acids are tuna and salmon, both of which are great options to eat raw.
The McChicken is considered one of the healthiest items at McDonald's due to its relatively lean chicken patty, which provides 14 grams of protein. It's also lower in calories compared to other items on the menu, making it a lighter choice when you don't want to overindulge.
The unhealthiest fish to eat are typically large, predatory species high in mercury like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and imported tilefish, plus bluefin tuna, which are dangerous for brain/nerve health, especially for pregnant women and children; also, farmed salmon and some imported tilapia/catfish raise concerns for contaminants and antibiotics, while orange roughy and Atlantic cod are often cited for high mercury and overfishing/sustainability issues.
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.
Our fish sandwich recipe features a crispy fish filet patty made with wild-caught Alaskan Pollock on melty American cheese and is topped with creamy McDonald's tartar sauce, all served on a soft, steamed bun.
The sandwich was created in response to declining sales at restaurants on Fridays, due to the Catholic practice of not eating meat on Fridays at the time (a practice that the Catholic Church continues to consider obligatory on Fridays during Lent).
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.