McDonald’s has been serving gluten-free burgers since today. But only in Austria. A first test meal. Hamburger Royal TS gluten-free versus the “normal” version.
A subjective test of the gluten-free burger
McDonald’s has been serving gluten-free burgers since today. But only in Austria. I suspect that they will test how it is received and then, if successful, expand the offer to Germany.
As my McDonald’s restaurant is always busy at lunchtime, I wanted to order my two test burgers using the “Quick Mac” app. Unfortunately, you can’t (yet?) choose the gluten-free version here. So I went straight to the store.
When I placed my order, I noticed that the employees were suddenly looking at each other. As I was the first person to ask for the gluten-free burger in this restaurant – as the employee then told me – I suspect that the employees had a bet going on as to when the first customer would arrive or what the guy would look like. Well, whatever.
I ordered two Hamburger Royal TS, one gluten-free and one normal. The gluten-free burger was freshly prepared, but that was done quickly. It costs 1 euro more than the normal burger. The gluten-free burger is labeled with a sticker, so there is no confusion.
When I got home, I quickly noticed: The bun of the gluten-free burger (picture below: the right burger is the gluten-free one) is slightly larger and lighter in color than the normal bread.
And then: the first test. Amazingly good. The gluten-free bun is almost indistinguishable from a wheat bun. It is less soft, but the taste is really excellent. If I didn’t know it was gluten-free, I wouldn’t have tasted it. But what is it made of?
Gluten-free bun ingredients: “Corn starch, water, rice flour, modified tapioca starch, sugar, rapeseed oil, sesame seeds (3%), yeast, dried glucose syrup, salt, thickener: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (E464), guar gum (E412); psyllium seeds, fibre (vegetable-based), emulsifiers (E471)” 1)
Suitable for coeliac disease?
That is, of course, the most important question: What is the benefit for those affected? From what I’ve seen, contamination is very likely, no, let’s be honest, it’s definitely there. The gluten-free burger is prepared in the same kitchen as all the other burgers and the employee who prepared my burgers also made both burgers side by side and alternated between them. In my opinion, this is not recommended for people with coeliac disease, as it is fraught with risk. But if you have a gluten sensitivity (wheat sensitivity), the whole thing is definitely worth a sin.
Conclusion
Nothing for coeliac disease* or wheat allergy*, unless you accept the possibility of contamination. For “wheat-sensitive” – I’ll call it that now – the burgers are definitely recommended. The taste was very good – after all the gluten-free bread I’ve tasted in recent years – the bun was really delicious and I think the €1 surcharge is acceptable. Sure, McDonald’s is not a health restaurant, but hey, every now and then a dietary sin is allowed. And now also for those who “want” to avoid gluten 😉
*Supplementary conclusion
As many people with coeliac disease confirmed to me a few hours after my experience, the gluten-free burgers were prepared with more care in other branches. So far there has only been positive feedback and no health reactions from those affected (as far as I know). In this respect, my burger observation was probably an exception – my burger was the restaurant’s first order – and people with coeliac disease could also eat the gluten-free burgers. McDonald’s must have done a lot to avoid contamination and to train its employees properly. Well then, meal time, but of course as always: still at your own risk 😉
1) Mcdonalds.at; PDF “McDonald’s standard products: Ingredients and ingredients as of July 2015”, retrieved on July 15, 2015, 12:05
