McDonald’s Most Notable Recalls: Chicken McNuggets, Happy Meals, and More Shocking Cases

McDonald’s, the fast-food giant, has faced numerous product recalls over the years, from undercooked chicken to unsafe Happy Meal toys. These incidents have raised serious customer safety concerns, prompting swift action to address health risks and protect the brand’s reputation.

From Happy Meal Toys to Chicken McNuggets: McDonald’s Major Recalls Spark Safety Concerns

McDonald's is often regarded as the world's most valuable fast-food chain, yet even this global giant has faced its share of controversies. Over the years, the company has been criticized for various issues, including its impact on public health and marketing practices. It mainly promotes high-fat, high-sugar foods to children through iconic characters like Ronald McDonald. However, some of the chain's most significant controversies involve product recalls, raising concerns over customer safety.

Like many fast-food chains, McDonald's has initiated multiple recalls involving chicken nuggets, sauces, and even toys from its Happy Meals. While no brand wants to face financial losses or damage to its reputation, McDonald's has been forced to act when customer health and safety are at risk. Per Mashed, here are some of the most notable recalls the company has faced.

Global Recalls: McDonald's Pulls Chicken McBites, Sauces, and More Due to Safety Concerns

1. Chicken McBites Recall in New Zealand (2022)

With its global reach, McDonald's offers different menu items depending on the region. Chicken McBites, a popular side in Cyprus, Pakistan, and New Zealand, was pulled from New Zealand’s menu after a production issue led to improper chicken cooking. This decision followed a customer complaint about undercooked chicken. McDonald's quickly removed the item from all restaurants in the country, working with suppliers to address size specifications. The swift action was taken out of an abundance of caution due to the risk of foodborne illnesses like salmonella.

2. Sweet 'n Sour Sauce Recall in Ireland (2021)

In 2021, McDonald's temporarily removed its Sweet 'n Sour Sauce from 89 restaurants in Ireland. The issue arose after the company discovered that mustard had been mistakenly included in the sauce without being listed on the ingredients label. This oversight posed a potential health risk to customers with mustard allergies. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland highlighted the danger and issued a recall notice, urging McDonald's to display warnings in all affected stores.

3. Robinson's Fruit Shoot Recall in the U.K. (2019)

Robinsons Fruit Shoot, a popular children's drink served with McDonald's Happy Meals in the U.K., was recalled in 2019 after it was found that the spouts on 200-milliliter bottles could detach, creating a choking hazard. The recall affected McDonald's and major retailers like Costco and Tesco. Customers were advised to return any bottles purchased during the affected period for a refund.

4. Salad Recall in the U.S. (2018)

In one of McDonald’s more severe incidents, over 500 people became ill after consuming salads contaminated with cyclospora, a parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The outbreak prompted McDonald’s to remove salads from 3,000 restaurants across 14 states. Following the incident, the company severed ties with its supplier, Fresh Express, and replaced it with a new provider to ensure customer safety. In a statement, McDonald’s reaffirmed its commitment to health and safety as a top priority. The chain ultimately removed salads from its national menu in 2020, reportedly due to low demand, although it also mitigated the risk of future contamination.

5. 32.6 Million Happy Meal Fitness Trackers (2016)

To counter criticisms surrounding its impact on public health, McDonald's introduced various initiatives, including healthier menu options and increased nutritional transparency. One of its more creative attempts involved including plastic fitness bands, called "Step-It" bands, as toys in Happy Meals. However, despite good intentions, the fitness trackers became irritating and even burned to children's skin. After receiving more than 70 complaints, McDonald's recalled all 32.6 million bands sold across the U.S. and Canada. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urged parents to immediately remove the bands from children. McDonald's offered a replacement toy and a healthy snack as compensation, emphasizing its commitment to customer safety and swift action.

6. 1 Million Chicken McNuggets (2015)

While McDonald's Chicken McNuggets have long been a fan favorite, a recall in 2015 raised serious concerns when plastic fragments were found in nuggets sold in Japan. The contamination led McDonald's to recall nearly 1 million McNuggets sourced from a factory in Thailand. The issue first came to light when a customer found plastic in their meal, followed by another instance involving a piece of vinyl. Although the factory denied the plastic originated from its facility, the source of the contamination remained unresolved. McDonald's issued a formal apology and launched an investigation, but the incident left many questions unanswered.

7. Chicken and Beef in China, Hong Kong, and Japan (2014)

In 2014, McDonald's faced a major scandal involving recalling all chicken and beef products from several cities in China, Hong Kong, and Japan. The recall stemmed from a video showing unsanitary practices at Shanghai Husi Food, a supplier for McDonald's, where workers were seen handling food with bare hands and repackaging expired meat. The incident caused a widespread halt in selling chicken and beef at McDonald's outlets across northern and central China. In contrast, chicken products were pulled from its Hong Kong locations, and nearly 500 stores in Japan stopped selling nuggets. This scandal led to a significant drop in sales across the region, with a 7.3% decrease in July 2014 alone.

8. 2.4 Million Happy Meal Whistles (2014)

In 2014, McDonald's recalled 2.4 million Hello Kitty-themed whistles in Happy Meals due to a potential choking hazard. The recall followed reports of children inhaling small, detachable parts of the whistle, with one child requiring medical attention. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) quickly issued a recall notice, advising customers to return the whistles to McDonald's for a replacement toy and healthy snack. McDonald's recovered approximately 1.6 million whistles, including those not yet distributed.

9. 13.4 Million Happy Meal Shrek Cups (2010)

In 2010, McDonald's launched a collection of Shrek-themed glasses to promote the release of "Shrek Forever After." However, the Puss in Boots glass contained traces of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, raising concerns over long-term health risks. Although the cadmium levels were low, federal regulators warned that children could be exposed by handling the glasses. McDonald's subsequently recalled all 13.4 million Shrek cups, urging customers to stop using them immediately. Fortunately, no illnesses were reported, but the recall underscored the potential dangers of toxic materials in everyday items.

10. Thousands of Packets of Apple Slices (2012)

McDonald's introduced apple slices to its Happy Meals to promote healthier eating, eventually becoming the source of 10% of all sliced apples sold in the U.S. However, in 2012, McDonald's was forced to recall thousands of apple slice packets after listeria was detected in production equipment at its supplier, Missa Bay LLC. Although no illnesses were reported, the recall affected many products, including fruit, vegetables, snacks, and sandwiches sold at McDonald's and other retailers. McDonald's promptly removed all Apple products from the affected facility as a precaution to protect customers from foodborne illness.