Today I am on my way to Toronto for my 4th and final part of the McDonald’s All-Access Moms program for 2011.
This tour takes the McD Moms from Toronto to the Cargill Chicken Facility in London, Ontario where we will see the entire process beginning to end (the beginning being the end for the chicken, actually!) of how a Chicken McNugget is made. We’ll also see how a Chicken Grill and if we have time McChicken is made as well, but let’s face it – for moms that purchase Happy Meals for the kids, it’s all about the McNuggets.
Look, I’ve heard the rumors. I’ve wondered myself, holding up a McNugget in my hand, puzzled and wondering if it’s really true that there’s…you know…chicken pieces that have no business being in food in that McNugget. Of course, I knew better than to believe an internet rumor and did some research to learn what a Chicken McNugget is made of. The ingredients are actually listed on the McDonald’s website, so there’s no secret. Still, I wondered, how exactly are they made. Are all the ingredients really needed? What is the role of dimethylpolysiloxane (an anti-foaming agent) and is something that hard to pronounce ok in my kid’s Happy Meal?
So, off to London, Ontario, I go to find these answers!
While in London, we’re also going to visit the Ronald McDonald House of Southwestern Ontario and learn more about the Ronald McDonald House Charities. I’ve been eager to learn more about the charity since I became a part of this program. We’re all aware of the charity, we’re familiar with Ronald McDonald Houses and all hope we never have to be in a position to need to stay at one. Good friends of ours stayed at a Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon when their son was sick as an infant, and have nothing but positive things to say about their experience.
The McDonald’s All-Access Moms site has information on all the tours we’ve gone on so far in the program complete with our blog posts and video of the tours. Check it out to get answers to questions we’ve already covered.
If you still have questions not covered there and would like me to ask them on your behalf, please leave them here! If you’ve checked out the other blog posts and seen the commercials on tv or on the website, I’d love to hear your comments and feedback too!
It’s been so fun following you on this tour!
I am a mama of 4 kiddies, and although once and a while process is OK. I much prefer feeding and personally eating REAL food. I love the McCafe, I love the McD concept, toy fun happy meals, apple slices, there ice cream, wraps, fries and salads. But the nugget is just so processed! “YUCK” I cringe at the sight of the inside, so fake.
Why did they get rid of the real chicken breast strips? I enjoyed.
Why do they no longer have real cheddar cheese? Personally I won’t eat a hamburger with out the real stuff on top! I loved there original Angus, on the ciabatta buns, red onions, and REAL cheddar, nothing personal has compared since.
I switched my Tim’s for McD’s coffee but they still don’t have me eating more then Ice cream and French Fries there! Sorry Mc D, bring back the Cheddar! Harvey s and Wendy’s has my hamburger attention! Or at least they have real chicken breast strips!
Have a fun trip to Ontario! It’s rainy today!
@inRdream
I have loved the info on this tour… my daughter has stayed in London children’s hospital but we were thankful to live close enough to just travel back and forth.
I wish there were more gluten free options at McD’s .. my kids loved going there for a treat.
Interesting. We don’t have the chicken grill out here. Wish we had more unbreaded grilled options out in BC. I love the cofffee and the promos.
I love McD`s! So yummy….Do they plan on bringing back the yogurts and mini fries that we had in SK a while back? That was fantastic!
I love McD’s but was rather disappointed to see they took away the Southwest Chicken Salad – that was my favorite
“Still, I wondered, how exactly are they made. Are all the ingredients really needed? What is the role of dimethylpolysiloxane (an anti-foaming agent) and is something that hard to pronounce ok in my kid’s Happy Meal?”
Yes, please, I want to know that too. Before I will take my little one there along for the first time.
I must confess, I have a weakness for McDonald’s. I love their ice cream! Their chicken nuggets do not impress me whatsoever and I do not let my kids order them. Ask them if they can make chicken nuggets more like Chic Fil A. McDonald’s has a Southern Style Chicken Sandwich, make something like that for strips, or nuggets for kids meals.
I am not much of a McDonalds person it’s so greasy!! Hubby went for egg mcmuffins and hashbrowns and they had so much greasr the hash browns wouldn’t come out of the paper envelope. But I love their fries they are the only one’s I eat without ketchup. Here is a question though, they said they will be buying all their beef in the US, did you ask? If so the kids and hubby will not be eating there. I believe in Canadian beef only because our economy needs to stay here and also there is a difference in taste, and it’s what your use to.
All McDonald’s beef is Canadian, we covered this on our last trip. Yay Canadian beef!
I have follow your tour a bit on the internet and am happy for any info that is good. Thanks
for doing this for us. I have heard no good about the nuggets so we’ll see what you find out.
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
I concur with a few others. Correct me if I am wrong about the actual benefit of consuming the nuggets. I honestly feel they are loaded with wasted calories and fat.
Chicken can be a wholesome and nutritional food if prepared alternate ways. Would they consider a real chicken breast cooked. No breading, no deep frying. Does their menu hold potential for true healthy eating options?
I love the McNuggets but wish they would bring them in the 20 pack. I just got some a few weeks ago and had to buy two 10 packs. I think the 20 pack would be great for a larger amount of people.
No questions from me, McDonald\s food especially the nuggets or the chicken patties cause me pain. My IBS just can not handle either.
Have to admit I love their cheeseburgers – I guess it is just my little way of supporting the Ronald McDonald House. Many of my clients have stayed there and report back to me how great it is :0)
I wonder if they will ever consider lowering the amount of sodium in items put in Happy Meals?
I like that they are opening the doors like this for the Behind the scenes production. Have fun.
i feel very confident feeding my daughter a happy meal with chicken nuggets..
I also wondered if that rumor was true, but mcnuggets are so delicious…it can’t be all bad!
Sorry I missed the questions on this but I’m very impressed with the improvements McD’s has been making. Lots of healthy alternatives and their new coffee selections are great.
I think that is awesome. I order Chciken McNuggets the most and was wondering how they were made. If I was eating somewhat a healthy choice. I would also love to hear about the Charity as well.
Whenever I take the kids to McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets are always ordered so I’m glad that they are healthy. I love them too I must admit..During the summer I have a McDonald’s milkshake once a week..I can’t help I love them..One year they had banana flavor and I almost lost my mind..lol.
do you know if they will add salads as a choice for kids meals? the happy meals
I am so glad that the Happy Meals are now healthier. I enjoyed watching the video and I really like that McDonald’s opened their door to show us how the food is made..and no MSG, fantastic!