McDonalds: F

I haven't been to McDonalds in over 10 years, because what would be the point? But I decided to look at their ingredient information (PDF) and see if they've added anything good to the menu.

They have added quite a bit to their menu (though I'm guessing these items aren't offered at every location), but seem to be completely uninterested in serving vegan customers. In fact, on the second page of their Ingredient Facts booklet (PDF), they actually state:

No products are certified as vegetarian; all products may contain trace amounts of ingredients derived from animals.

All products? Even the apple juice? Yikes.

Possibly vegan

Note McDonald's caveat that any product may contain trace amounts of animal ingredients. A lot of these items are ingredients used in the regular dishes, and I have no idea if it would be possible to get things like the salad veggies individually. Probably not.

• apple juice
• baked apple pie (contains l-cysteine hydrochloride)
• barbeque sauce
• Barq's® root beer
• Big Mac® bun (contains calcium propionate, monoglycerides, unspecified enzymes. May contain diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides.)
• blueberries
• blueberry pomegranate smoothie (may be contaminated by milk)
• caramel coffee syrup
• carrots, shredded
• cashew pieces, roasted
• chocolate coffee syrup
• chocolate raspberry pie (contains l-cysteine hydrochloride)
• Coca-Cola®
• coffee
• cranberries, infused
• cucumber
• Diet Coke®
• edamame
• English muffin (contains calcium propionate, diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides, unspecified enzymes)
• espresso coffee
• French fries
• fruit and maple oatmeal
• Fruitopia® Strawberry Passion Awareness®
• granulated nuts
• hashbrowns
• hotcake syrup
• ketchup
• large cone
• lettuce
• "Mac Club" bun (contains calcium propionate, monoglycerides, may contain diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides, sodium steroyl-2-lactylate, calcium stearate)
• mango pineapple juice
• mango pineapple smoothie (may be contaminated with milk)
• McFlurry drumstick pieces
• mixed berry juice
• mixed greens
• multigrain bagel (contains calcium propionate)
• mustard
• Nestea iced tea (note: Nestlé is evil)
• onions (dehydrated)
• orange juice
• Oreo® Mix-in
• peanut butter
• pickles (contain polysorbate 80)
• premium bun Angus (contains diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides, calcium propionate, natural flavours. May contain sodium steroyl lactylate, calcium stearate)
• raspberry drizzle
• red onion rings (just slices of onion, not deep fried breaded onion rings)
• red pepper strips
• regular bagel (contains mono- and diglycerides, polysorbate 60, calcium propionate, calcium stearate)
• regular bun (contains calcium propionate, monoglycerides, unspecified enzymes. May contain sodium steroyl-2-lactylate, calcium stearate)
• Renée's® Asian sesame vinaigrette
• Renée's® balsamic vinaigrette
• roasted red pepper sunflower seeds
• Rolo® syrup
• salad lettuce blend
• salsa
• sesame seed bun (contains calcium propionate, monoglycerides, unspecified enzymes. May contain diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides, sodium steroyl-2-lactylate, calcium stearate)
• slivered onions
• Sprite®
• strawberries
• strawberry banana smoothie (may be contaminated with milk)
• strawberry jam
• strawberry topping
• sugar free vanilla syrup
• sweet and sour sauce
• teriyaki glaze
• Thai sauce
• tomato
• tortilla (contains "flavouring preparation")
• Triple Thick Milkshake® chocolate syrup
• Triple Thick Milkshake® strawberry syrup
• Triple Thick Milkshake® vanilla syrup
• Triple Thick Shamrock Shake syrup
• vanilla coffee syrup
• vinegar
• white grain bun (contains sodium steroyl-2-lactylate, enzymes)

Not vegan

• Angus bacon and cheese
• Angus deluxe
• Angus mushroom and Swiss burger
• bacon cheeseburger
• bacon chicken snack wrap
• bacon chicken snack wrap with grilled chicken
• bacon n' egg bagel
• bacon n' egg biscuit sandwich
• bacon n' egg McMuffin® sandwich
• bacon, egg n' cheese McGriddles® sandwich
• "Big Breakfast"
• Big Mac® sandwich
• Big Mac® sauce (egg)
• Big Xtra® sandwich
• BLT bagel
• breakfast burrito (egg, milk)
• "breakfast sauce" (egg, milk)
• buttermilk biscuit
• cashew teriyaki salad with crispy chicken
• cashew teriyaki salad with grilled chicken
• cheeseburger
• Chicken McBites
• Chicken McNuggets®
• Chicken Snack Wrap®
• chipotle BBQ sauce (honey)
• chipotle chicken snack wrap
• chipotle chicken snack wrap with grilled chicken
• chocolate drizzle for beverages(milk)
• chocolate powder for beverages (milk)
• chocolate raspberry flavoured syrup (milk>
• cinnamon Melts® (milk, egg)
• creamy seasoned sauce (egg)
• croutons (milk)
• dairy mix
• double Big Mac® sandwich
• double cheeseburger
• double Filet-O-Fish®
• double Quarter Pounder with Cheese® sandwich
• Egg McMuffin®
• egg, lettuce and tomato bagel
• Filet-O-Fish® sandwich
• granola (honey)
• grilled cheese sandwich
• grilled chicken Snack Wrap®
• hamburger
• honey sauce
• hotcakes (egg, milk)
• hot caramel topping (milk)
• hot chocolate (milk)
• hot fudge sundae topping (milk)
• junior chicken sandwich
• lemongrass and ginger red peppers (milk)
• margarine (vitamin D₃)
• margarine portion, Becel® (milk, vitamin D₃)
• mayonnaise-style sauce (egg)
• McBistro™ chicken BLT with crispy chicken
• McBistro™ chicken BLT with grilled chicken
• McBistro™ southwest chicken with crispy chicken
• McBistro™ southwest chicken with grilled chicken
• McBistro™ Swiss mushroom melt with crispy chicken
• McBistro™ Swiss mushroom melt with grilled chicken
• McBite sauce - creamy ranch (milk, egg)
• McBite sauce - hot habanero (milk, egg)
• McChicken® sandwich
• McChicken® sauce (egg)
• McGriddles® cakes (milk)
• McNuggets® sauce - hot mustard (egg)
• mighty Caesar entrée salad (bacon, parmesan)
• mighty Caesar entrée with warm crispy chicken
• mighty Caesar entrée with warm grilled chicken
• milk
• milk, chocolate
• milk chocolate morsels
• muffin - blueberry (milk, egg)
• muffin - carrot (milk, egg)
• muffin - chocolate raspberry (milk, egg)
• muffin - cranberry orange (milk, egg)
• muffin - double chocolate (milk, egg)
• muffin - fruit & fibre (milk, egg)
• muffin - golden bran & raisin (milk, egg)
• mushrooms (vitamin D₃ in cooking spray)
• parmesan Caesar glaze
• premium ranch sauce (milk, egg)
• Quarter Pounder with Cheese® sandwich
• Renée's® Caesar light dressing (egg)
• Renée's® mighty Caesar dressing (egg, milk, anchovies)
• Renée's® yogurt roasted garlic Caesar dressing
• sausage and egg biscuit sandwich
• sausage biscuit
• sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddles® sandwich
• sausage McGriddles® sandwich
• sausage McMuffin® sandwich
• sausage McMuffin® with egg sandwich
• side Caesar salad (bacon, parmesan)
• side garden fresh salad (cheese)
• smoothies with yogurt
• southwest sauce (egg)
• spicy Thai McBistro™ chicken sandwich with crispy chicken
• spicy Thai McBistro™ chicken sandwich with grilled chicken
• strawberry Danino yogurt
• tartar sauce (egg)
• three cheese Caesar sauce
• Tuscan salad with crispy chicken
• Tuscan salad with grilled chicken
• vanilla birthday cake (milk, egg)
• vanilla ice milk
• vanilla stirred yogurt
• whipped cream

Hero Burger: D

Hero Burger's website does not list the ingredients for everything, and sometimes the ingredients list contradicts the Nutritional Information chart (PDF) which indicates which items are vegan. (Ingredients for some items are listed at What's In It.)

Vegan items

• green salad (according to Nutritional Information chart (PDF), ingredients unknown)
• Soul burger patty (contains "flavour" but manufacturer, Sol Cuisine, says it's vegan)

Possibly vegan

• brown gravy (contains unidentified "flavour")
• ciabatta bun (ingredients listed are vegan, but not labelled vegan on the Nutritional Information chart (PDF))
• gluten-free bun (contains glycerine)
• Hero hambuger bun (contains L-cysteine, calcium propionate, unspecified enzymes)
• onion rings (ingredients listed are vegan, but not labelled vegan on the Nutritional Information chart (PDF))

Not vegan

• beef gravy
• chicken breast
• coleslaw (according to Nutritional Information chart (PDF), ingredients unknown)
• cranberry sauce (according to Nutritional Information chart (PDF), ingredients unknown)
• cream honey Dijon
• creamy Caesar dressing
• extreme beans
• fries (according to Nutritional Information chart (PDF), ingredients unknown)
• garden herb vinaigrette (according to Nutritional Information chart (PDF), ingredients unknown)
• Hellmann's half the fat mayonaise (egg)
• Hero burger patty
• Hero certified sauce (milk, egg)
• mango sauce (according to Nutritional Information chart (PDF), ingredients unknown)
• multigrain flatbread (honey)
• real ancho cipotle sauce (milk, egg)
• real horseradish Dijon (egg)
• salmon
• sweet potato fries (according to Nutritional Information chart (PDF), ingredients unknown)
• turkey burger
• vanilla ice cream
• vanilla soft serve

Pizza Pizza: D

Source: Pizza Pizza Ingredients List Effective Date June 22, 2011 (retrieved August 18, 2011). This page has the disclaimers "Items may be subjected to change without notice. Variations may occur depending on the region of the country."

Vegan items

• broccoli
  
• bruschetta
  
• chili peppers
  
• ciabatta bun
  
• cucumber
  
• Forty Creek Whisky BBQ sauce
  
• Frank's hot sauce
  
• fries
  
• garlic, roasted
  
• green bell peppers
  
• hot pepper marinade
  
• Italian home style pizza sauce
  
• Italian marinara dipping sauce
  
• Italiano blend
  
• jalapeno peppers, sliced green
  
• ketchup
  
• mushrooms, sliced
  
• mustard
  
• onion, red
  
• onion rings
  
• peppers, roasted red
  
• pineapple
  
• plum sauce
  
• potato wedges
  
• Renee's balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
  
• seafood dipping sauce
  
• spinach
  
• sweet chili Thai sauce
  
• Tabasco sauce—red
  
• tomatoes, grape
  
• tomatoes, roma
  
• tomatoes, sundried
  
• zucchini
  

Possibly vegan items

• BBQ sauce: contains unspecified natural flavour
  
• classic dough crust: contains diacetyl tartaric acid ester of mono diglycerides, amylase
  
• garlic bread/toast: contains lactic acid, margarine
  
• garlic stick: contains unspecified enzymes, margarine
  
• gluten-free crust: contains monoglycerides
  
• lemon pepper: contains unspecified natural flavour
  
• olives, kalamata: contain lactic acid
  
• olives, sliced green: contain lactic acid
  
• peppers, hot: contain unspecified natural flavours and colour
  
• sweet garlic & peppers: contains unspecified natural flavours
  
• tomato sauce, classic: contains unspecified flavour
  
• wing sauces, mild and hot: contain unspecified flavour (do not confuse with "ultimate hot wing sauce" which is definitely not vegan)
  

Non-vegan items

• anchovies
  
• apple pie: contains whey
  
• bacon topping
  
• bacon strips
  
• beef, ground
  
• beef crumble, Halal
  
• blue cheese sauce
  
• brownies, two-bite: contain egg
  
• cheese curd
  
• cheese tortolloni alfredo
  
• cheesy bread
  
• chicken, bone-in
  
• chicken, Halal cooked
  
• chicken, mesquite
  
• chicken bites
  
• chicken strips
  
• chicken wings, classic
  
• chicken wings, crispy breaded
  
• creamy dill sauce: contains egg, buttermilk
  
• creamy garlic dipping sauce: contains whey solides, butter, natural parmesan cheese flavour
  
• croutons: contain whey, romano cheese
  
• feta
  
• four cheese blend
  
• goat's cheese, unripened
  
• ham, smoked
  
• honey garlic sauce
  
• honey mustard sauce
  
• jalapeno cheddar dipping sauce
  
• mac & cheese
  
• meatball
  
• mozzarella, pizza
  
• parmesan
  
• penne bolognese: contains beef, chicken, cheddar, mozzarella
  
• peppercorn ranch sauce: contains buttermilk powder, egg yolk
  
• pepperoni, Halal
  
• pepperoni, New York style
  
• pepperoni, original
  
• pesto: contains parmesan and romano cheese
  
• pork, pulled
  
• poutine sauce: contains milk ingredients
  
• provolone
  
• Renee's buttermilk ranch salad dressing
  
• Renee's Caesar salad dressing: contains egg, parmesan cheese, anchovies
  
• Renee's Caesar salad dressing, light: contains egg, anchovies
  
• Renee's Greek feta salad dressing
  
• Renee's raspberry vinaigrette: contains honey
  
• Renee's spring herb Italian vinaigrette: contains whey
  
• Saint Cinnamon poppers: contain modified milk ingredients and milk ingreedients
  
• salami, Genoa
  
• sausage, Italian
  
• shrimp, breaded
  
• smokey chipotle sauce: contains anchovies
  
• steak strips
  
• ultimate hot wing sauce: contains whey
  
• veal, breaded
  
• whole wheat multigrain dough crust: contains honey
  

Rating: D

There are a few vegan items, so you could fill up on bruschetta, buns with veggies and other toppings, fries, and onion rings, but it would not be very nutritious. In particular there are no good vegan proteins available.

Is it vegan? The restaurant rating system

Each restaurant is rated as follows:

• A: everything on the menu is vegan
  
• B: there are many vegan options on the menu, giving many satisfying meal possibilities
  
• C: there aren't many vegan options, but it is still possible to have a nutritious and tasty meal
  
• D: you could get meal that will satisfy your hunger, but it won't be very nutritious
  
• F: it is not possible to get a vegan meal at this restaurant
  

If you have a choice, support the A-rated restaurants—vegan restauranteurs need and deserve our support!