McDonald's Uses Sustainable Fish We don't always associate fast food with natural ingredients, but the Filet-O-Fish has been made with real fish from the start. Its creator, Lou Groen, used halibut in his prototype sandwich, but over time the fish has changed.
Our fish sandwich recipe features a crispy fish filet patty made with wild-caught Alaskan Pollock on melty American cheese and is topped with creamy McDonald's tartar sauce, all served on a soft, steamed bun.
You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that the piece of fish in your Filet-O-Fish is indeed an actual fish filet, rather than the processed minced fish blend used to make fish sticks.
The Filet-O-Fish is frequently listed among the healthiest items you can order at McDonald's. Nutritionist Lauren Manaker told Health that fish is full of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and protein ...
Billed as “The World's Best Whitefish,” Wild Alaska Pollock has been a nutritious meal for decades, best known as the main ingredient in fish sticks and surimi. But it's so much more than that. It's a mild tasting fish that's plentiful, healthy, tasty, sustainable, and supports the local commercial fishing economy.
United States – As of May 2020, contains a battered, fried fish fillet made from Alaska pollock. Republic of Ireland – As of October 2019 either hoki or Alaska pollock may be served. United Kingdom – As of May 2020, contains white hoki or pollock in crispy breadcrumbs.
Pollock is a member of the cod family. They can grow as long as 3 feet but typically reach lengths between 12 and 20 inches and weigh between 1 and 3 pounds. They have speckled coloring that helps them blend in with the seafloor to avoid predators.
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®?
Yes, every patty is 100% real beef with no fillers, additives or preservatives. Curious about our burgers? We have answers to all of your questions about McDonald's burgers and beef. Whether you're wondering if McDonald's uses real beef or does McDonald's have a veggie burger -- we've got an answer in our FAQ.
Globally, 99% of the fish sourced for Filet-O-Fish sandwiches come from sustainably managed, wild caught fisheries. (We're working to get that number up to 100%!) In the U.S., Filet-O-Fish sandwiches are made with 100% wild-caught Alaska Pollock that's also always sustainably sourced.
Made of 100% white Alaskan pollock, the flaky fish filet that takes center stage in this lighter bite is breaded in panko before it is deep fried and served on a soft brioche bun.
As McDonald's prices have increased, so have rumors of shrinkflation, which is when a company keeps a product at the same price but decreases its size. Some customers say the Filet-O-Fish is much smaller than it used to be. Mike Haracz explained this on TikTok, too, saying the Filet-O-Fish is still the standard size.
There are many types of fish, so you might wonder which one Dairy Queen uses in its sandwiches. Not surprisingly, the chain uses wild-caught Alaskan Pollock.
Recently, pollock has become more popular due to overfishing of cod. In terms of nutritional value, both fish are good sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Cod tends to be slightly higher in calories and fat, while pollack is often lower in mercury levels.
Thankfully, the reason why the fish is so cheap is that there is a large number of them to feed the massive industry that hunts for them. Sustainability practices, especially in Alaska are successful in maintaining their populations and as a result the fish is much cheaper than its counterparts.
Pollock is a bottom feeder. This does not determine the quality or toxicity of the fish. However, this does give the meat a darker color and features that are apparently unappetizing. As a contradiction, this fish is actually prized by many cultures for its usefulness and taste.
What is the healthiest thing to eat at McDonald's?
The healthiest things at McDonald's include apple slices, oatmeal, and a grilled McChicken sandwich. You can still indulge in your favorite burger, but just be conscious of both portion control and your sides.
Which is healthier, Filet-O-Fish or quarter pounder?
Nutritionally, the Filet-O-Fish is healthier than most other fast food burger staples – by comparison, a McDonald's Quarter Pounder has five times more saturated fat, nearly three times more sugar and double the salt.
And are commonly used as fish and chips. Spiny dogfish shark is known as saumonette (“little salmon”) in France, and schillerlocken (“locks of Schiller” – dried shark) and seeaal (“sea eel”) in Germany. And, in Australia and New Zealand, whitefish fillets or flake are actually elephant or ghost shark.
The Flounder Fish Sandwich features a fresh and flaky Alaska flounder filet marinated in authentic Louisiana herbs & spices, dusted in our crunchy southern coating and fried up golden brown. The filet is served a top a warm, buttery toasted brioche bun with barrel-cured pickles.
The Filet-O-Fish is lower in sodium than other sandwiches and provides 16 satiating grams of protein. If you leave off the tartar sauce, you'll spare 90 calories and 10 g of fat—but personally, we think the tartar sauce makes the sandwich.
