The Unappetizing Ingredient

McDonalds has done away with a key ingredient and the announcement is turning a few stomachs.

Earlier this week the golden arches revealed that it had stopped using ammonium hydroxide in the production of its hamburgers. According to MSNBC that same chemical is commonly used in fertilizers, household cleaners and homemade explosives.

A statement from McDonalds says the decision to discontinue the use of ammonia came in August of last year. It says this is part of an effort to align global standards for the sourcing of beef. And unfortunately for fast food lovers McDonalds might not be the only chain to use the chemical.

According to a recent special by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver; many companies in the food industry use ammonia to turn “inedible” meat into your next meal. Oliver says basically a product that would be sold as a cheap product for dogs is being made fit for humans.

And most dieticians say this side product is hard to avoid. Since its one part of a production procedure the ingredient itself is often not listed. Just one more surprise that keeps eating healthy a real challenge.