This Is The Most Controversial Fast Food Menu Item Of All Time
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Fast food is a pillar of American food culture—whether you make a weekly stop at the McDonald's drive-thru or not. However, controversy seems to follow all of our favorite quick-service spots. Of the biggest scandals, here are a few we just can't wipe from our brains, no matter how much we love a Whopper or Micky D's fries.
McDonald's McNuggets
As much as we've tried to forget that photo of the pink slime that supposedly to make up McDonald's Chicken McNuggets...we haven't. And you probably haven't either. Rumors and alleged photos and videos have circulated for years. However, the chain has repeatedly denied these claims. There's even a statement on their website refuting it.
"No, our Chicken McNuggets do not contain what some people call 'pink slime' or 'pink goop.' We've seen the photo of 'pink goop' or 'pink slime' in association with McDonald's," it reads. "Let's set the record straight: this image in connection with McDonald's is a myth. In fact, we don't know where it came from, but it's not our food."
Starbucks Iced Coffee
A 2017 BBC investigation found trace amounts of fecal bacteria in Starbucks' iced coffee. However, unfortunately for us, this isn't all that uncommon. Starbucks also wasn't the only brand to be called out for the issue. Fecal coliforms have been found in ice machines many times, and of the samples collected for the investigation, other chains like Costa Coffee and Cafe Nerro similarly contained the bacteria. Do with that information what you will.
Subway's Bread
Subway's bread scandal wasn't just a rumor. The bread really did contain an ingredient that was dubbed the "yoga mat chemical." Although the chain eventually phased it out of the recipe, it has plagued their reputation.
The ingredient is called azodicarbonamide, and it's approved by the Food and Drug Administration for food as "a bleaching agent and dough conditioner," according to The New York Post. It's even found at other fast food chains like McDonald's, Burger King, and Starbucks (as well as actual yoga mats, hence the name).
Charged Lemonade
Panera has been slammed with lawsuits following the release of its caffeinated Charged Lemonade, which had a whopping 236 milligrams in a large-sized cup. There were even several deaths linked to the beverage. It's safe to say this is the most controversial item in this list.
In one lawsuit, a woman claimed that she was unaware of its caffeine content, which caused her to have irregular fast heart palpitations that now requires medication.
"The primary reason she ordered this drink was because it was advertised as 'plant-based' and 'clean,'" the complaint reads, according to CNN. "This marketing is especially dangerous to a vulnerable population, children and adults who would reasonably believe this product was lemonade and safe for consumption."
McDonald's Szechuan Sauce
McDonald's was slammed back in 1998 when it released its Szechuan Sauce as part of a collaboration for the Disney movie "Mulan." Fans and media alike bashed the chain for "ethnic stereotyping" and they quickly pulled it from menus.
That wasn't the end of its run though. It returned to menus after a "Rick and Morty" episode referencing the sauce caused demand in 2017—demand that they couldn't keep up with. The low supply then caused mass backlash from fans desperate for a taste, BBC reported.
Burger King Burgers
Back in 2013, Burger King used a supplier in the U.K. and Ireland that was allegedly providing horse meat for their flame-grilled patties, per USA Today. Ultimately, the chain cut ties, but it raised a lot of concerns among customers.
McDonald's McAfrika
Micky D's made the questionable choice to introduce the McAfrika, an "authentic" African recipe that had pita bread instead of a bun, in one of the richest countries in the world (Norway). The reason this was so controversial is that there was a legit famine going on in parts of Southern Africa at the time, Business Insider reports. Woof.
Burger King's Halloween Whopper
BK's A1 Halloween went viral, but not for the reason Burger King was hoping. The black bun, which was achieved with A1 sauce, turned customers' poop green. While, yes, harmless, it definitely caused a stir on social media. #Greenpoop was even trending.
"To make poop turn that color green, it would require far more dye than is in the typical type of A.1.," Pamela Reilly, a naturopathic doctor and certified nutrition counselor, told USA Today. "My guess is that they're using a concentrated form."
Chipotle's Burrito Bowl
Chipotle not only endured a slew of listeria ties during an outbreak years ago, but the chain has also come under fire for its dwindling portion sizes and rising costs. Customers on social media have continued to slam the restaurant for smaller and smaller bowls despite claims from the CEO that it's simply an inconsistency problem and not some larger scheme, according to CNN.
Wendy's Chili
Remember when someone found a literal finger in their Wendy's chili? Yep, that happened. Ultimately, however, it turned out to be a big scam by a husband and wife duo, who later plead guilty after putting the finger there themselves.
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