#NotLovinIt
January 21, 2017 12:14 PM Subscribe
McDonald's in Canada adding nuts back to the menu. The move is a major departure from the company’s long-standing policy of serving nuts in sealed packages, which enabled people with peanut and tree-nut allergies to safely consume many items on the menu. In a statement posted on its website, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Ltd. said that as of Tuesday, the company is adding nuts that are not individually packaged to the menu across the country.
That seems ... nonstrategic, given that there's a single item with nuts on the menu.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 12:25 PM on January 21, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 12:25 PM on January 21, 2017 [14 favorites]
Wow, that stinks. My cousin was peanut allergic back when that was still something a lot of people hadn't heard of and I remember even then that we could take him to McDonald's for lunch without having to worry about cross contamination. This is a shame.
posted by potrzebie at 12:26 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by potrzebie at 12:26 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
He said McDonald’s in Canada was “pretty unique” among the chain’s other divisions in offering prepackaged nuts separately.
Surely it's the "All products available at our restaurants may contain [...] allergens" bit that is the problem here, not his little bags of nuts...
(For reference, I checked the Swedish McDonalds site, where the menu has an "avoid this allergen" bar at the top with around 15 allergens you can filter out, and I couldn't find a single item with nuts in it. Is McDonalds Canada run by squirrels?)
posted by effbot at 12:36 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
Surely it's the "All products available at our restaurants may contain [...] allergens" bit that is the problem here, not his little bags of nuts...
(For reference, I checked the Swedish McDonalds site, where the menu has an "avoid this allergen" bar at the top with around 15 allergens you can filter out, and I couldn't find a single item with nuts in it. Is McDonalds Canada run by squirrels?)
posted by effbot at 12:36 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
That seems ... nonstrategic, given that there's a single item with nuts on the menu.
The sundaes.
posted by jonmc at 1:02 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
The sundaes.
posted by jonmc at 1:02 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
#NutLovinIt
I was peanut-allergic decades before it was cool; it was never life-threatening, AND my parents paid for a series of "allergy shots" that reduced its effect further but didn't eliminate it. Still, a single Peanut M&M would give me a coughing fit and a swelling and intense itching in my mouth and throat (and I got some effect from the original formula of Plain M&Ms because they contained a trace of ground peanuts for some dumb reason). This may be a hangover from the "Harper Era" in Canada, because I totally expect the anti-science anti-regulation Trump Administration to unleash the peanuts on America, just to 'cull the herd'. Well, it won't get me - I'll just be perpetually swollen and grouchy.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:11 PM on January 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
I was peanut-allergic decades before it was cool; it was never life-threatening, AND my parents paid for a series of "allergy shots" that reduced its effect further but didn't eliminate it. Still, a single Peanut M&M would give me a coughing fit and a swelling and intense itching in my mouth and throat (and I got some effect from the original formula of Plain M&Ms because they contained a trace of ground peanuts for some dumb reason). This may be a hangover from the "Harper Era" in Canada, because I totally expect the anti-science anti-regulation Trump Administration to unleash the peanuts on America, just to 'cull the herd'. Well, it won't get me - I'll just be perpetually swollen and grouchy.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:11 PM on January 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
Yeah, onefellswoop, this feels like some kind of weird lurch to the right to me too.
posted by jamjam at 1:18 PM on January 21, 2017
posted by jamjam at 1:18 PM on January 21, 2017
Perhaps a blessing in disguise?
posted by snofoam at 1:34 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by snofoam at 1:34 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Perhaps it's a change in suppliers to ones who don't segregate allergens as carefully. Probably to save $0.001/item.
posted by sbutler at 1:51 PM on January 21, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by sbutler at 1:51 PM on January 21, 2017 [13 favorites]
The company said its new Skor McFlurry "is the first product that will contain non-packaged peanuts or tree nuts. As a result, all products available at our restaurants may contain or come into contact with peanuts, tree nuts or other allergens."
Haven't they had that on the menu for decades, or am I thinking of the Dairy Queen Blizzard? Is that what's happening? They got the rights to rip off Dairy Queen's menu even harder, and were expecring this obvious PR fail to be some sort of amazing coup?
posted by Sys Rq at 2:25 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Haven't they had that on the menu for decades, or am I thinking of the Dairy Queen Blizzard? Is that what's happening? They got the rights to rip off Dairy Queen's menu even harder, and were expecring this obvious PR fail to be some sort of amazing coup?
posted by Sys Rq at 2:25 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is the third attempted/successful FPP in like a week that mentions McDonalds.
I'm lovin' it.
Apologies to everyone with a nut allergy, though. Bogus move.
posted by sibboleth at 2:57 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm lovin' it.
Apologies to everyone with a nut allergy, though. Bogus move.
posted by sibboleth at 2:57 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
This seems like a very odd move. If the only place you can eat at safely as a kid is McDonalds, where will you eat when you grow up?
posted by Monday at 3:30 PM on January 21, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Monday at 3:30 PM on January 21, 2017 [4 favorites]
A hospital.
posted by Sys Rq at 4:05 PM on January 21, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Sys Rq at 4:05 PM on January 21, 2017 [8 favorites]
Why would I even eat a Skoal McFlurry gross
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:42 PM on January 21, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:42 PM on January 21, 2017 [17 favorites]
Why would I even eat a Skoal McFlurry gross
But the refreshing wintergreen!
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:46 PM on January 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
But the refreshing wintergreen!
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:46 PM on January 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
Of note, this is McDonald's Canada where litigation is generally less popular (and less lucrative). I was there using a coupon (nuggets!) today and saw the new signs, which should further absolve them of legal action.
Strange, though, that after doing the calculus between switching parts of their supply chain to (a) provider(s) who aren't certified nut-free vs. lost revenue from groups that include nut-allergic members - and the supply chain switch was more economical.
Wonder if they actively switched bits of their supply chain, or if bits of their existing supply chain lost their nut-free certification? Which then begs the question of why/how a supplier might lose that certification - and whether this potential nut-allergen thing might just be temporary until whoever can get their certification back.
posted by porpoise at 6:07 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Strange, though, that after doing the calculus between switching parts of their supply chain to (a) provider(s) who aren't certified nut-free vs. lost revenue from groups that include nut-allergic members - and the supply chain switch was more economical.
Wonder if they actively switched bits of their supply chain, or if bits of their existing supply chain lost their nut-free certification? Which then begs the question of why/how a supplier might lose that certification - and whether this potential nut-allergen thing might just be temporary until whoever can get their certification back.
posted by porpoise at 6:07 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
(and I got some effect from the original formula of Plain M&Ms because they contained a trace of ground peanuts for some dumb reason).
Cross contamination because the regular and peanut varieties are produced in the same plant if not on the same line. Ever wonder why a seemingly non-allergen containing product lists an allergen? That's why.
posted by nathan_teske at 6:53 PM on January 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
Cross contamination because the regular and peanut varieties are produced in the same plant if not on the same line. Ever wonder why a seemingly non-allergen containing product lists an allergen? That's why.
posted by nathan_teske at 6:53 PM on January 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
It would be interesting if someone tracked sales data (which McD's must, obv.) to see if there is an immediate and a long-term impact for this decision. That is to say, maybe they'll change their minds and change back to sealed packets.
There are enough hygiene issues without having to worry about increased allergen contact. As noted above, there must be some behind-the-scenes reason for the decision. Let's hope they change it back.
posted by datawrangler at 7:27 PM on January 21, 2017
There are enough hygiene issues without having to worry about increased allergen contact. As noted above, there must be some behind-the-scenes reason for the decision. Let's hope they change it back.
posted by datawrangler at 7:27 PM on January 21, 2017
Huh. I was raised believing that what distinguished McDonalds in its frozen coagulated pseudo-diary products was that it ingeniously used the serving spoon as the stirring instrument in the machine that prepared the pseudo-dairy product, thereby limiting cross-contamination. (Unlike – say – Dairy Queen.)
I had no idea there were no pre-mixed nutty treats before. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure if this whole belief system about the spoon being a mixing instrument has any basis in fact at all. I don't know how to feel about any of this.
posted by ~ at 7:54 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
I had no idea there were no pre-mixed nutty treats before. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure if this whole belief system about the spoon being a mixing instrument has any basis in fact at all. I don't know how to feel about any of this.
posted by ~ at 7:54 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
This is surprising because in my experience Canada is generally better about labeling products as "certified nut free." In fact, every year we bring back a bunch of Mars bars because they're one of the few nut-free candy bars, the Canadian ones are labeled as such, and the ones in the US have the stupid "may contain nuts" CYA label on them.
We don't tend to eat at McDonalds anyway, because it's garbage (delicious garbage, but still) so this probably won't affect us much, but as others have said it seems like a step backwards.
posted by bondcliff at 8:30 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
We don't tend to eat at McDonalds anyway, because it's garbage (delicious garbage, but still) so this probably won't affect us much, but as others have said it seems like a step backwards.
posted by bondcliff at 8:30 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
I had a very involved primary care physician, who's now not practicing but rightfully at the head of the entire Hospital chain's primary care physicians inform me straight up that lethal food allergies... especially peanuts, tree-nuts, strawberries and shrimp/lobster sorts of shellfish... as in they kill kids, it's not imaginary... is drastically on the rise. He had no explanation for why this is so, apart from a weak sort-of correlation to their grandparents being heavy smokers.
Dear Macca's Steak House - I know Trump won. That's no excuse to kill your customers via allergic reaction.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:32 PM on January 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
Dear Macca's Steak House - I know Trump won. That's no excuse to kill your customers via allergic reaction.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:32 PM on January 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
In the case of peanuts it's now thought to be lack of early exposure.
posted by Mitheral at 9:39 PM on January 21, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Mitheral at 9:39 PM on January 21, 2017 [6 favorites]
"We may actually be experiencing sort of a peak in terms of risk avoidance in food safety. More and more people are starting to suggest that perhaps more risk is actually good for your health and maybe that's why McDonald's has decided to move forward on this policy,"
Why the hell does McDonald's get to dictate risk levels for children now instead of the parents?
posted by nicebookrack at 10:49 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
Why the hell does McDonald's get to dictate risk levels for children now instead of the parents?
posted by nicebookrack at 10:49 PM on January 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
Parents still get to dictate, by deciding to eat there or not.
posted by HFSH at 11:32 PM on January 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by HFSH at 11:32 PM on January 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
Also, that statement was not made by McDonald's, but was speculation by a 'Dean of the Faculty of Management'.
posted by HFSH at 11:39 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by HFSH at 11:39 PM on January 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Perhaps it's a change in suppliers to ones who don't segregate allergens as carefully. Probably to save $0.001/item.
The framing around this change is so strange. They're introducing a new McFlurry which integrates nuts. Obviously they DGAF about disenfranchising the nut averse but so much of the coverage includes sentiments like the above, like they just couldn't be assed to keep up current protocols. At the end of the day the new nuts taint the kitchen just the same and maybe its the same thing at the heart of it but hate the ethics for what they are rather than these strawmen.
Strangely almonds are not a part of the Skor bar but integral to the new McFlurry? I myself love chocolate and almonds but I'd think they could be sacrificed for the common good.
For the sake of the planet and its citizens we should really be working to disenfranchise more people from the golden arches. McBee burgers with peanut-shellfish sauce served with a penicillin shake in a latex cup for everyone!
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:20 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
The framing around this change is so strange. They're introducing a new McFlurry which integrates nuts. Obviously they DGAF about disenfranchising the nut averse but so much of the coverage includes sentiments like the above, like they just couldn't be assed to keep up current protocols. At the end of the day the new nuts taint the kitchen just the same and maybe its the same thing at the heart of it but hate the ethics for what they are rather than these strawmen.
Strangely almonds are not a part of the Skor bar but integral to the new McFlurry? I myself love chocolate and almonds but I'd think they could be sacrificed for the common good.
For the sake of the planet and its citizens we should really be working to disenfranchise more people from the golden arches. McBee burgers with peanut-shellfish sauce served with a penicillin shake in a latex cup for everyone!
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:20 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Why the hell does McDonald's get to dictate risk levels for children now instead of the parents?It's still up to the parents. They can just choose not to eat at McDonald's due to fear of x-contamination. Pretty simple, really.
posted by xyzzy at 3:02 AM on January 22, 2017 [5 favorites]
Strangely almonds are not a part of the Skor bar but integral to the new McFlurry
Skor does have almonds. It's news to me too, but I checked and apparently, according to the ingredients list, they're in there somewhere. I've eaten hundreds of Skor bars in my lifetime, though, and never saw, tasted, or felt any almonds in there. And Skor is way too skinny to fit whole, slivered, or crushed almonds. They'd have to be in dust form.
Is it possible the Hershey factory where they're produced is just really, really contaminated, to the point that they've taken to including almonds in the ingredients list of everything produced there?
posted by Sys Rq at 3:06 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Skor does have almonds. It's news to me too, but I checked and apparently, according to the ingredients list, they're in there somewhere. I've eaten hundreds of Skor bars in my lifetime, though, and never saw, tasted, or felt any almonds in there. And Skor is way too skinny to fit whole, slivered, or crushed almonds. They'd have to be in dust form.
Is it possible the Hershey factory where they're produced is just really, really contaminated, to the point that they've taken to including almonds in the ingredients list of everything produced there?
posted by Sys Rq at 3:06 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
In the case of peanuts it's now thought to be lack of early exposure.
As someone who grew up on a farm and was fed peanut butter by ignorant but well-meaning adults from an early age, I still have a serious peanut allergy. I like the idea of this study, and I hope it makes a difference to a lot of kids, but it doesn't seem like a panacea.
I guess I'm lucky to not have to eat at McDonald's anyway, so I don't.
posted by sneebler at 8:37 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
As someone who grew up on a farm and was fed peanut butter by ignorant but well-meaning adults from an early age, I still have a serious peanut allergy. I like the idea of this study, and I hope it makes a difference to a lot of kids, but it doesn't seem like a panacea.
I guess I'm lucky to not have to eat at McDonald's anyway, so I don't.
posted by sneebler at 8:37 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Perhaps it's a change in suppliers to ones who don't segregate allergens as carefully. Probably to save $0.001/item
Whatever it's about, you can bet it's about money.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:16 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Whatever it's about, you can bet it's about money.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:16 AM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Skor bars are made of almond toffee... Ground up fine and carmelized. As someone allergic to almonds, I can't tell you how many times I've had an allergic reaction because someone didn't believe me and snuck them into a dessert. Including at the tasting for my own wedding....
posted by Valancy Rachel at 9:48 AM on January 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Valancy Rachel at 9:48 AM on January 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
About the early exposure, sneebler's anecdote included, It doesn't seem as simple as that because when the use of peanuts was becoming widespread it seems like an allergy would have manifested back then. It wasn't really that long ago.
Early exposure may be something that is useful to most people but it just seems that there is some other factor involved, but oh well, I'm not one who studies this. When we have a kid I am interested in early exposure as that is probably a big factor in a lot of allergies but ultimately I will try to listen to our doctor and hope we have a good one.
posted by Phantomx at 6:12 PM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Early exposure may be something that is useful to most people but it just seems that there is some other factor involved, but oh well, I'm not one who studies this. When we have a kid I am interested in early exposure as that is probably a big factor in a lot of allergies but ultimately I will try to listen to our doctor and hope we have a good one.
posted by Phantomx at 6:12 PM on January 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Heath also has almonds. Pretty surprising, right? Was to me, anyways.
Also, Hershey's makes both Skor and Heath, which makes as little sense to me as TJMaxx maintaining the two distinct TJMaxx and Marshall's brands.
posted by R a c h e l at 6:57 AM on January 25, 2017
Also, Hershey's makes both Skor and Heath, which makes as little sense to me as TJMaxx maintaining the two distinct TJMaxx and Marshall's brands.
posted by R a c h e l at 6:57 AM on January 25, 2017
I don't think we have Heath in Canada. I had to look it up. It looks exactly like a Skor. "Skor" one for Hershey in the "illusion of choice" games.
We also don't have TJMaxx in Canada, except we totally do. Same company and everything. It's called Winners up here. Your guess is as good as mine. And, yes, we also have Marshalls.
Branding: A worthwhile enterprise!
posted by Sys Rq at 10:28 PM on January 25, 2017
We also don't have TJMaxx in Canada, except we totally do. Same company and everything. It's called Winners up here. Your guess is as good as mine. And, yes, we also have Marshalls.
Branding: A worthwhile enterprise!
posted by Sys Rq at 10:28 PM on January 25, 2017
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