How does McDonalds keep the bags of apples in happy meals from turning brown? (2024)

FAQs

How does McDonalds keep the bags of apples in happy meals from turning brown? ›

Packaged apples found at McDonalds or in your local produce section are usually treated with a solution of calcium ascorbate (a blend of calcium and vitamin C) or citric acid (found in citrus fruit) to maintain freshness and color. Both are very safe to use on fruit that will be consumed.

A look at the ingredient list will tell you that it's not magic that keeps the McDonald's Happy Meal apple slices from browning but calcium ascorbate, which according to McDonald's is a mix of calcium and vitamin C that helps preserve the fruit.

To use this method to prevent apples from turning brown, create a water bath for your apple slices with a ratio of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of water. Soak the apple slices for 3 to 5 minutes, then drain and rinse them. This simple step should keep your apples from browning for several hours.

“With the current sliced apple products sold at McDonald's, they use a lot of Gala and Empire apples, which we grow a lot of here in New York,” Gregg said. Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission (WAC), said the apples would have to come from U.S. growers.

“Commercially, apple slices are treated with ascorbic acid [to prevent browning],” Watkins says. Any type of citrus juice—lemon, lime, or orange juice—will work here; pineapple juice will do the trick too. These fruit juices contain citric acid, which slows the chemical reaction and prevents browning.

Storing apple slices in an airtight container after treating the cut fruit with saltwater, honey, or citric acid is the best way to keep the fruit fresh. By limiting the amount of time they spend exposed to the air, the slices will be less likely to break down.

Just soak cut apples in lemon-lime soda, like 7-Up or Sprite, for about 10 minutes. Drain them and they're ready to use. Since the flavor is neutral, the fruit needs no additional rinsing. Apples soaked in the lemon-lime soda will look good for a couple days.

Here's the short version: The best way to prevent browning is to soak the cut fruit in a saltwater solution (half a teaspoon of kosher salt per cup of water) for 10 minutes, then drain and store until ready to use. The mild salt flavor can be rinsed off with tap water before serving.

How can we prevent apples from turning brown? To slow the chemical reaction, you can isolate the fruit in an anaerobic – or oxygen-free – environment. This is possible by placing lemon juice or pineapple juice on the apple. These liquids carry antioxidants which eliminate oxygen.

McDonald's Apple Slices are a wholesome, tasty side made from real apples. Specially selected varieties mean our apple slices are always crisp and juicy, making for a tasty snack with 15 calories per labelled serving.

Where does McDonald's get their apples? ›

Leo Dietrich & Sons' Story

So how do they produce so many? With the help of honey bees to pollinate the trees and Pheromone traps to reduce the need for pesticides, Leo Dietrich & Sons can supply some of the crisp, juicy apples that are used to produce the apple slices that go into a McDonald's Happy Meal^®.

McDonald's Fruit Bag is a healthy option for those who want to avoid fries. It contains a variety of fruits like apple slices, grapes, and mandarin oranges. The fruit bag is low in calories, with only 35 calories per serving. It is also a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.

Apple Treatment Method: Plain Water

Simply slice the apples and store them submerged in tap water in a lidded container or sealed baggie at room temperature. Sealed in a bag, the apple slices lasted a whopping six hours before starting to brown, and retained their crunch and taste.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt into 1 cup of cool water until dissolved. Add your sliced apples and soak for about 10 minutes. Drain the apples and store in an airtight container for up to a week. If you're packing the apples in a lunch box right away, give them a rinse under cool water.

Because it's full of ascorbic acid (an isolate of Vitamin C) and has a low (acidic) pH level. Ascorbic acid reacts with oxygen before it reacts with polyphenol oxidase. Even when the ascorbic acid is used, the pH of the lemon juice prevents browning.

Ingredients: Apples, Calcium Ascorbate (a Blend Of Calcium And Vitamin C To Maintain Freshness And Color).

To further protect the product's fresh flavor and color, the apple slices are dipped in a Vitamin C solution bath prior to packaging. McDonald's is achieving an estimated 7-10 days refrigerated shelf life for its Apple Dippers.

In fact, according to McDonald's corporate dietitian Shaye Arluk, the sliced apples you'll find in a Happy Meal have a shelf life of about 14 days.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt into 1 cup of cool water until dissolved. Add your sliced apples and soak for about 10 minutes. Drain the apples and store in an airtight container for up to a week. If you're packing the apples in a lunch box right away, give them a rinse under cool water.