Patrick Oconnell
McDonald's cheese sticks, also known as mozzarella sticks, have been a source of controversy and customer complaints. The product, consisting of three sticks of mozzarella cheese coated in breadcrumbs and served with salsa or marinara sauce, has received mixed reviews. Some customers have taken to social media and lawsuits to express their dissatisfaction with the quality and authenticity of the cheese, claiming that the sticks are 'adulterated and filled with starch rather than real cheese. Despite McDonald's denying these accusations, the cheese sticks have sparked debates about the expectations and realities of fast food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Mozzarella |
| Ingredients | Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, starch, breadcrumbs |
| Texture | Crispy exterior, warm and soft interior |
| Taste | Seasoned, evident mozzarella flavor |
| Shape | Long, thin sticks |
| Serving | Three sticks per serving |
| Accompaniments | Salsa or marinara dip |
| Price | $1.00 for three sticks |
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What You'll Learn
- McDonald's cheese sticks are made with 100% low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
- A lawsuit claimed the cheese sticks were adulterated and misbranded
- McDonald's acknowledged the issue of cheese melting out during the baking process
- The sticks are coated in breadcrumbs and served with salsa or marinara sauce
- The real mozzarella is made from the milk of water buffalo
McDonald's cheese sticks are made with 100% low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese
In response to the allegations, McDonald's issued a statement denying the claims and asserting that their mozzarella cheese sticks are made with 100% low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese. They intended to defend themselves vigorously against the allegations. The case was eventually dismissed in October 2016, with no reward obtained by either party.
Despite the lawsuit, some customers have continued to question the quality and authenticity of the cheese in McDonald's cheese sticks. Some have reported receiving hollow sticks or sticks with minimal cheese. However, others have praised the product, describing the breading as well-seasoned and evident in each bite, although the cheese inside doesn't ooze as expected.
McDonald's cheese sticks are three sticks of mozzarella cheese coated in breadcrumbs and served with a salsa or marinara dip. They are a popular item on the McDonald's menu, despite some mixed reviews on the taste and quality. The low price point makes them a tempting option for customers, and some have expressed interest in seeing them become a regular item on the menu.
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A lawsuit claimed the cheese sticks were adulterated and misbranded
McDonald's cheese sticks, or mozzarella sticks, were introduced in 2015 as part of the McPick 2 meal. The product was discontinued in 2016 after a lawsuit was filed in California claiming that the cheese sticks were adulterated and misbranded.
The lawsuit, filed by a disgruntled consumer, alleged that McDonald's was marketing 100% real mozzarella despite the cheese being partially made of starch. The plaintiff, Chris Howe, claimed that the sticks were "filled with a substance that is composed [in part] of starch, in violation of the federal standards of identity for 'mozzarella' cheese, and contrary to reasonable consumers' expectations regarding the meaning of the term 'mozzarella'".
Howe's lawsuit stated that starch was being used as a cheap substitute and filler, allowing McDonald's to add bulk and weight to the cheese sticks at a fraction of the cost of real cheese. He claimed that he would not have purchased the cheese sticks had he known that they did not contain real cheese. The lawsuit sought class-action status on allegations of false advertising and breach of express warranty, among other counts.
McDonald's denied the accusations, stating that their "mozzarella cheese sticks are made with 100% low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese". They claimed that the cheese had oozed out of the sticks during the preparation process, a production error they promised to resolve. The case was voluntarily dismissed in October 2016, with no reward obtained by either party.
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McDonald's acknowledged the issue of cheese melting out during the baking process
McDonald's cheese sticks, also known as mozzarella dippers, are three sticks of mozzarella cheese coated in breadcrumbs and served with salsa or marinara dip. In 2016, the fast-food chain faced a lawsuit claiming that the cheese sticks were "adulterated" and misbranded and did not contain real cheese. The lawsuit alleged that starch was used as a cheap substitute and filler, which is in violation of the federal standards of identity for "mozzarella" cheese.
McDonald's officials denied these accusations, stating that their "mozzarella cheese sticks are made with 100% low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese". They acknowledged the issue of cheese melting out during the baking process, saying:
> "In these instances, we believe the cheese melted out during the baking process in our kitchens and shouldn't have been served. We apologize to any customers who may have been affected. We are working to fix this in our restaurants."
The case was voluntarily dismissed in October 2016, with no reward obtained by either party. Despite the lawsuit, some customers have expressed their satisfaction with the cheese sticks, praising the well-seasoned breading and the warm, crispy texture. However, others have been disappointed by the lack of melted cheese and the small size of the sticks.
The issue of cheese melting out during the baking process highlights the challenges of maintaining product quality and consistency in a large fast-food chain like McDonald's. While the company took responsibility and apologized for the issue, it also underscores the importance of proper quality control and customer satisfaction in the highly competitive quick-service restaurant industry.
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The sticks are coated in breadcrumbs and served with salsa or marinara sauce
McDonald's cheese sticks, also known as Mozzarella dippers, are coated in breadcrumbs and served with salsa or marinara sauce. The cheese sticks are breaded and fried, resulting in a slightly crispy exterior. The breadcrumbs provide a well-seasoned and evident coating that complements the mozzarella flavour without overwhelming it.
The cheese sticks are served with a salsa dip, adding a tangy and spicy kick to the overall flavour profile. The salsa is likely made with tomatoes, onions, chillies, and various spices, providing a fresh and vibrant contrast to the fried cheese sticks. Alternatively, some customers have the option to pair the cheese sticks with a marinara sauce, a tomato-based sauce that is often seasoned with herbs and spices.
The combination of the crispy, breaded exterior and the melted mozzarella interior creates a satisfying textural contrast. The cheese sticks are designed to be fully cooked while maintaining their shape, avoiding the undesirable outcome of soggy or flaccid cheese sticks.
While the cheese sticks have received mixed reviews, with some criticising the size and the absence of oozing cheese, others have praised the breading and seasoning. The inclusion of starch in the cheese sticks has been a subject of controversy, with a lawsuit filed claiming that the use of starch as a filler violated federal standards for mozzarella cheese.
Despite the controversy, McDonald's defended its product, stating that the cheese sticks were made with 100% low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed, and the cheese sticks continue to be a menu item in select regions, providing a convenient and affordable snack option for customers.
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The real mozzarella is made from the milk of water buffalo
McDonald's mozzarella sticks are breaded cheese sticks served with a salsa or marinara dip. They were introduced in 2016 and were the subject of a lawsuit the same year, with a customer claiming that they were "adulterated" and misbranded and contained starch as a cheap substitute for cheese. McDonald's denied these claims, stating that their mozzarella sticks were "made with 100% low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese". The case was dismissed in October 2016 without any reward to either party.
While the lawsuit focused on the use of starch as a filler, some customers have also taken to social media to complain about the quality of the cheese sticks, with some reporting that they received hollow sticks with no cheese inside. McDonald's acknowledged these complaints, attributing the missing cheese to the baking process in their kitchens.
Despite the controversy, some customers have expressed satisfaction with the taste and texture of the mozzarella sticks, praising the well-seasoned breading and the warm, crispy exterior. However, others have been disappointed by the small size and the lack of melted cheese.
The discussion around McDonald's mozzarella sticks brings up an interesting point about the nature of mozzarella cheese. While the sticks served by McDonald's are made with cow's milk cheese, traditional mozzarella is often associated with buffalo milk. "Real" mozzarella, also known as "mozzarella di bufala", is made from the milk of water buffalo and can be found in specialty stores or Italian delis. This type of mozzarella is considered a higher-quality product and is valued for its unique flavor and texture.
The distinction between cow's milk and buffalo's milk mozzarella highlights the diverse nature of cheese production and the varying standards and expectations that come with it. While McDonald's defended the use of cow's milk mozzarella in their sticks, the debate around the "realness" of their product underscores the importance of transparency and accuracy in food labelling and advertising. Ultimately, the choice between cow's milk and buffalo's milk mozzarella comes down to personal preference, budget, and accessibility, as buffalo's milk mozzarella is often considered a premium product.
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Frequently asked questions
McDonald's cheese sticks are said to be filled with 100% low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese. However, there have been several complaints and a lawsuit claiming that the cheese sticks are "adulterated and misbranded" and filled with starch as a substitute for real cheese.
The breading on McDonald's cheese sticks is made of seasoned breadcrumbs.
Reviews of McDonald's cheese sticks are mixed. Some people complain that the cheese sticks are often hollow, with the cheese having melted out during the baking process. Others say that the cheese sticks are too small, and that the accompanying marinara sauce is terrible. However, some people have enjoyed the cheese sticks, saying that the breading is well-seasoned and that the cheese sticks are satisfying.
