McDonald's originally used Atlantic cod, before declining cod catches forced McDonald's to find sustainable fish elsewhere. McDonald's is trying to maintain fish only from areas certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council, but that is becoming more difficult each year. Hoki is still a major ingredient.
We use wild-caught Alaska Pollock for our Filet-O-Fish® sandwich in the U.S., which is 100% sourced from sustainable fisheries. Why is sustainable fish so important to us? Because it helps protect our oceans—something that's important to you. Interested in learning more about the Filet-O-Fish®?
5. Believe it or not, the Filet-O-Fish is actually fish. McDonald's uses Marine Stewardship Council certified wild-caught Alaska Pollock.
The Filet-O-Fish was almost a halibut sandwich
McDonald's ultimately swapped it out for cod before its release because it ended up being cheaper, but it wasn't an easy decision because Kroc didn't want customers to negatively associate the Filet-O-Fish with cod liver oil.
Ingredients: Pollock, Water, Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Wheat Flour, Modified Food Starch, Contains 2% Or Less: Yellow Corn Flour, Bleached Wheat Flour, Salt, Whey (Milk), Dextrose, Dried Yeast, Sugar, Cellulose Gum, Paprika And Turmeric Extract (Color), Natural Flavors ...
Aside from the fact that the Filet-O-Fish is probably old (if you don't ask for it made it order), it's also wildly unhealthy. For a small sandwich, it contains a ton of fat, calories, and artificial ingredients (410 calories, 20 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, and 660 milligrams of salt).
McDonald's Filet-O-Fish
It's the lowest in calories and sodium, compared to the others, says Yelena Wheeler, M.P.H., R.D.N., of MIDSS. It's also lower in sugar and carbs, and has a “decent amount” of protein (16 grams) and fiber (2g), Beam adds.
The fish is from sustainable fisheries
If environmentalism is at the top of your values, you'll be pleased to know that McDonald's ensures that it uses only wild-caught Alaskan Pollock fish from only sustainable fisheries in its United States Filet-O-Fish sandwiches.
Yes, there is completely different vat of oil for Filet O' Fish and even a different basket to fry it in. If a chicken patty or nugget accidently falls in or is cooked in it, it's thrown out. How often does a fast-food restaurant (e.g., KFC, McDonald's) change their frying oil?
The fish that McDonald's uses is Pollock but you could even use cod, halibut, or bass. Cut the fish into a square shape so it can be just like how McDonald's makes it.
Delicious white Hoki or Pollock fish in crispy breadcrumbs, with cheese and tartare sauce, in a steamed bun.
Best Sandwich: McChicken
This is the smartest choice among all of McDonald's sandwiches since it contains 350 calories and 15 grams of fat. To us that's a little head-scratching, since it's a fried chicken option that somehow beats out even the Filet-O-Fish, which contains 390 calories and 19 grams of fat.
Known around the world for its quality and taste, we source our Angus beef from Aussie farmers. The Pollock and Hoki used in our fish portions is caught in some of the world's cleanest waters. We only use quality 100% Australian RSPCA Approved chicken, supplied by familiar brands like Baiada and Inghams.
But McDonald's insisted the popular item has not shrunk, leaving confused customers second-guessing their measurements. One customer at a branch in New South Wales shared a snap of the Filet-O-Fish next to a McChicken sandwich and a burly beef burger.
Our Filet-o-Fish is neither Halal or suitable for Vegans.
Aldi shoppers are raving about the store's 75p fish burgers which apparently taste just like McDonald's Fillet-o-Fish - at a fraction of the price. The bargain supermarket's Buttermilk Fish Burgers have been praised for their likeness to the fast food favourite from McDonalds.
While the fish composition of the sandwich has changed through the years to cater to taste preferences and address supply limitations, the framework of its ingredients have remained constant; a fried breaded fish fillet, a steamed bun, tartar sauce and pasteurized American cheese.
Our Filet-o-Fish® patty is cooked separately from meat items in 100% vegetable oil. However, due to the design of the oil filtration system, during the oil filtering process, there is a small chance the oil used to cook our fish patties can come into contact with oil that has been used to cook chicken products.
Daily Filtering. Many fast food chains, including McDonald's, are required to filter a Frymaster LOV Fryer on a daily basis. The video above and steps below walk you through the procedure.
Wondering what are McDonald's Chicken Nuggets made of? Chicken McNuggets® are made with all white meat chicken and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. There are 170 calories in a 4-piece Chicken McNuggets®.
Both filet and fillet mean a strip of boneless meat. Fillet is the more general term, however, while filet is usually reserved for French cuisine and in the names of French-derived dishes such as filet mignon.
A cousin of the cod, Wild Alaska Pollock is harvested from the rich and pristine waters of Alaska's Bering Sea. Chefs seek out Wild Alaska Pollock for its mild taste and white, flaky texture. It's also attractive for its abundance and sustainability. SEE MORE NUTRITION FACTS.
The average Big Mac calories is at around 540 calories with 25 grams of fat. When taken on its own, this sandwich provides more than 25% of an adult's daily calorie requirement and more than 40% of the daily recommended fat intake, despite being often drunk with fries and cola.
Because of its simplicity and flavor. The Filet-O-Fish is plain and simple: a crispy breaded fish patty, McDonald's tartar sauce, American cheese, and a pillowy, steamed bun.