Talking Allergies

I have found McD to be quite comprehensive in terms of allergen info/management. It seems that peanuts for sundaes, and tree nuts for salads are bagged in individual portions, not floating around the food prep area.

I saw a poster today for a 'limited time drumstick mcflurry', it seemed to have pictures of ice cream, chocolate and peanuts. I assume that the peanuts are mixed in? And therefore in some sort of open container?

I will contact McD Canada since this is a serious concern for me. I realize McD isn't health food, but if we're travelling we will grab some food there for our kids, feeling it is safe from an allergy perspective. I have never trusted the mix ins for the mcflurry, but have gotten plain cones or cups of ice cream before.

Does anyone have any additional info on this? Thanks.

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DSs 7,7,9 all PA

Wasn't aware of the new McFlurry flavour. We let the kids eat there once a month as a treat, as it is one of the few places they can eat. I have never tried giving them the ice cream at all, partly because DS is dairy allergic and it wouldn't seem fair to him.

I'm interested in what you find out about this. Thanks for letting us know.

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DD 2004 Allergy to peanuts, egg, sesame, and new: lentils and chick peas
DS 2006 Allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, kiwi fruit, eczema

I went to speak to the manager of my local restaurant today. They are still using the little packages as they do for the sundaes. I think they are suppose to be handed out, but one of the employees said that some people want them mixed in, using the mcflurry machine (which is away from the soft serve ice cream). The McFlurrys are mixed using their own spoon and dome, so although I'm not overjoyed about this, I feel like the risk is quite low. I'm glad it's just a temporary flavour though, it's the only place that I will buy a small ice cream cone for my kids.

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DSs 7,7,9 all PA

Thanks for the update, Becky!

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DD 2004 Allergy to peanuts, egg, sesame, and new: lentils and chick peas
DS 2006 Allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, kiwi fruit, eczema

Good job asking!

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Moderator
Daughter: asthma, allergies to egg, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, most legumes (not soy) & penicillin. Developing hayfever type allergies.
Husband: no allergies
Me: allergies to some tree that flowers in May
Cat: allergic to beef, pork and lamb

Thanks for the info on this Becky!

Allison's mom, I see we are dealing with similar allergies. What are the "safe" options for your kids? It's been a VERY long time since we went to McDonald's, and our son used to eat the Chicken Nuggets and fries, but I'm not sure if they're still safe. Thanks!

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14 yr old daughter: no health issues
11 yr old son: allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, sesame, sunflower, mustard, poppy seeds, green peas, some fruits, instructed to avoid all other legumes (except soy & green beans), pollen, cats, horses

Hi Julie,

My kids both can eat the nuggets and the fries. My dd also can have their smoothies (last time was before the peanut mcflurry, so I'd have to check again next time). The nuggets apparently have some small amount of dairy, like whey or casein, but my ds, who can tolerate some forms of dairy, doesn't react to them. I will fully admit that we don't ask every single time we go, but do ask when we are at an McD in another country.

From the giant binder in the states, they can eat the burger patties, but not the buns, I don't think.

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DD 2004 Allergy to peanuts, egg, sesame, and new: lentils and chick peas
DS 2006 Allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, kiwi fruit, eczema

Thanks Alison's mom!

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14 yr old daughter: no health issues
11 yr old son: allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, sesame, sunflower, mustard, poppy seeds, green peas, some fruits, instructed to avoid all other legumes (except soy & green beans), pollen, cats, horses

Last night we popped into a McDonalds just east of Toronto. Behind the counter there were peanuts all over the place.

I am hoping this new McFlurry doesn't last.

Ali

That's very disappointing!! Lose peanuts everywhere? Not packages?

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DSs 7,7,9 all PA

Loose peanuts all around the ice cream machine, the mixer and where the burgers etc. are sitting.

Just saw a commercial today about oatmeal and nuts at McDonalds. Will have to look into this further.

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Me-Allergic to Peanut, Tree Nut, Coconut, Shellfish, ASA and Asthma
My Husband and Children No Allergies

They have a new salad with cashews. I think the cashews are prepackaged, though.

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DD 2004 Allergy to peanuts, egg, sesame, and new: lentils and chick peas
DS 2006 Allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, kiwi fruit, eczema

Mcdonalds is now doing an online question and answer type thing... when someone asked about nut allergies this was their answer:

"OUR ANSWER:

Hi Amanda. We understand and appreciate the dietary restrictions of your daughter. Having said that, McDonald's is not a peanut-free restaurant. Due to increasing concerns about allergies, we introduced pre-packaged nuts in all of our restaurants to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. The only products that knowingly contain peanuts and/or nuts in Canada are in the individual packets of peanuts used for sundaes, peanut butter portions, the sunflower seeds for the Tuscan Salad and roasted cashews for the Cashew Teriyaki Salad. We do our best, but it's up to our customers to ensure that our food is right for them. All of our nutrition and ingredient information can be found on our website."


What do you all think of this?

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Cassandra 24 years old.
Allergic to peanuts/most treenuts, cats and dogs.
Grew out of lactose intolerance.

They've answered my questions, and they've said that Mcdonalds is a "nut controlled" environment, but not nut-free and since its not nut free they can't guarantee there wouldn't be cross contamination...


but if all nuts are pre-packaged how could there be cross-contam?


Do those with peanut/tree nut allergies eat at Mcdonalds?

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Cassandra 24 years old.
Allergic to peanuts/most treenuts, cats and dogs.
Grew out of lactose intolerance.