In July, McDonald’s announced that it would include apple slices in every Happy Meal by next year. Packages of apple slices were being phased in starting in September, according to the New York Apple Association (NYAA).
“We’re very excited about this,” said Peter Gregg, NYAA’s communications director. “This is very big news for apple growers in the U.S.”
McDonald’s doesn’t track sales of the popular kids’ meal, said Ashlee Yingling, media relations representative for McDonald’s U.S. According to NYAA, however, the restaurant chain sold 220 million Happy Meals in the United States last year.
It’s too soon to speculate on just where all those apples will come from, Yingling said, but the U.S. industry is hopeful.
“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.
“The shelf life of a processed, sliced apple is such that it can’t be imported,” he said. “They’ll be getting these apples regionally.”
Another benefit, Fryhover said, is that appearance doesn’t have much to do with sliced, processed apples.
“It’s going to let the growers and packers have a choice with what they want to do with their apples,” he said. “I see nothing but positive things from this announcement. It’s going to benefit the entire industry.”
Denise Donohue, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, sees the McDonald’s announcement as a win for growers and a win for processors, too, since it will dramatically increase the need for sliced apples. It’s also a win for kids.
“Kids just love apples,” she said. “Sliced apples are especially appealing to kids.”
Gregg said that Happy Meals reach parts of the country, and kids, that don’t have much access to fresh apples.
“Once these children have these apples in their meals, it could change the dietary uptake of an entire generation,” Fryhover said.
By Derrek Sigler, associate editor
FAQs
The introduction of apple slices helped pave the way for McDonald's continuing evolution to improve its kids' meals and offer more wholesome options for its youngest customers.
What does McDonald's do to their apples? ›
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.
What kind of apples are in a Happy Meal? ›
“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.
Are the apples at McDonald's healthy? ›
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. Enjoy it as a Snack or Side to your meal!
Why do McDonald's apple slices taste so good? ›
At McDonald's, quality is their priority. Their apple slices are made from fresh, hand-picked apples, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor. Each slice is carefully washed, cut, and packed to preserve its freshness.
Can I feed my dog McDonald's apple slices? ›
Long story short, yes, dogs can eat small amounts of an apple! This low-calorie fruit actually has several health benefits for your canine friend. Eating an apple slice can even help clean your dog's teeth and improve the smell of their breath.
What is McDonald's secret item? ›
Land, Air and Sea
The best of all worlds, this mammoth sandwich on the McDonald's secret menu involves a Big Mac (land), McChicken (air) and Filet-O-Fish (sea). This combo is also sometimes called the “Surf & Turf” and is another sandwich of formidable size once assembled.
Where are McDonald's apples grown? ›
Leo Dietrich & Sons' Story
At their orchard in Conklin, Michigan – on a plot of land that the family has owned since the 1850s – Leo Dietrich & Sons hand-pick apples at their peak of ripeness. This means they pick about 10,000 apples a day during harvest season.
What does McDonald's do to their meat? ›
Our 100% beef is ground, formed into patties, and then flash frozen. Flash freezing is when beef is quickly frozen to seal in fresh flavor. From the day it was formed, it usually takes about two to three weeks until the burger is served.
Does McDonald's use real apples? ›
Absolutely—McDonald's apple pie has real diced apples. The exact variety can vary from season to season, but we look for apples that are sweet and slightly tart.
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.
What is the healthiest apple to eat? ›
Some, however, have unique health benefits. Red Delicious apples are the healthiest from an antioxidant standpoint, Crumble Smith says. The darker the color of the apple, the richer it'll be in antioxidants.
Why did McDonald's get rid of apple dippers? ›
For McDonald's, looking to address an image problem and guide customers who have struggled to make or enforce healthy choices for their children, the answer was to end the option. Apple Dippers will now be Apple Slices, with caramel sauce on the way out.
Did McDonald's apples used to come with caramel? ›
The Petition
Any child that grew up in the 90's and early 2000's remembers getting their happy meal with apple slices. The best part? The caramel dip. In 2011 McDonald's discontinued the caramel dip, therefore taking away the best part of happy meals for this generation, and the generations ensuing.
What happened to the sliced apple? ›
This unappetizing phenomenon is actually due to a chain of biochemical reactions known as “enzymatic browning.” When an apple is injured (or cut into pieces), the plant tissue is exposed to oxygen. This triggers an enzyme known as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) to—wait for it—oxidize polyphenols in the apple's flesh.
Why do they package apples? ›
Apples are packaged according to strict criteria. The uniformity in size and quality within each class is important for the market. Failure to remove overripe, misshapen, diseased or otherwise damaged apples creates problems in subsequent marketing.
