McDonald's Grilled Chicken

(The following message was posted on the St. John's Celiac Listserv on 04.05.06; contributed by NCSG member K. H.)

From E. J. Adams
Subject: McDonald's (Not the French Fries!)
Listmates, I recently contacted McDonald's regarding their grilled chicken breast filet. You can read my letter to them as well as their response below. Prior to their reformulation of the grilled chicken breast, we could enjoy this chicken product taking into consideration there may be some issues with cross contamination at any and all McDonald's. My local McD's was excellent in that they always stored their grilled chicken away from their breaded, fried chicken. Obviously from their response, no celiac will be eating their grilled chicken now. I simply wanted to share this information. Each one of you can take it or leave it depending on your own special dietary issues. I would remiss if I did not share this information and pass it on as a matter of public interest. Please read on. Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald's. The reformulated Grilled Chicken Breast Filet that launched with the Premium Chicken Sandwiches contains hydrolyzed wheat gluten whereas the pervious chicken breast filet did not. Wheat and gluten were noted in the allergen/sensitivity sections of the web site (and in the August 2005 Nutrition Facts Brochure) when this chicken breast was released last summer. Although this ingredient is hydrolyzed, it still contains proteins derived from wheat. Again, thank you for contacting McDonald's. We hope to have the opportunity of serving you again soon under the Golden Arches.
Roger
McDonald's Customer Response Center
ref#:3502186

E. J. Adams wrote: I have written two times and called Customer Relations twice. No one has ever responded to my request for information regarding the change in the gluten status of your grilled chicken. Prior to the most recent allergen listing on your website, the grilled chicken was gluten free. The ingredient listing now includes wheat gluten. Since I suffer from celiac disease, I cannot, in any way, shape or form ingest anything made with or derived from wheat, rye or barley. Heretofore, McDonalds was my favorite gourmet restaurant. Since the addition of wheat gluten to the grilled chicken, I can no longer enjoy your Grilled Chicken Caesar Salads. I was a frequent customer at my local McDonalds and was always appreciative of the fact that I could easily enjoy a meal at any McDonalds. This eased my mind greatly when traveling as there is always a McDonalds close by - somewhere. Today I happened to check Burger Kings website and noticed that although they do not publish a gluten free menu, they do publish an allergen listing. Lo and behold, their grilled chicken does not list gluten or anything derived from wheat, rye or barley. Upon contacting their Customer Service, they readily provided me with a gluten free list. Burger Kings grilled chicken is gluten free!! And since I can also have their burgers, I will now become a regular customer of Burger Kings. Their Customer Service representative was far more helpful than anyone at McDonalds and since I can enjoy their food, they are now my favorite gourmet restaurant. It is a shame that McDonalds chooses to ignore my plight as well as that of several million others who suffer from celiac disease. By the way, Burger Kings French fries are also made in a dedicated fryer and are also gluten free! (I do not eat the French fries as I follow the Atkins lifestyle also.) I had always enjoyed McDonalds food and was so disheartened upon learning I could no longer eat at your restaurants. I am thrilled that Burger King can fill the void.