There's times when controversy follows McDonald’s like an annoying fruit fly. This go-round has to do with the Golden Arches' new vegan ice cream being tested in the United Kingdom. Dubbed the “Vegan Scoop” line, flavors include chocolate and strawberry.
According to Refreshment Mag, the ingredients are rice, glucose syrup, dextrose, and coconut oil, with emulsifiers, thickeners, and flavorings. It also says that the Vegetarian Society has accredited it as vegan, along with another new vegan product called the McFreezy, a fruit-flavored ice dessert.
Despite their accreditation, McDonald’s has admitted that the products may contain traces of milk and has warned consumers with milk allergies. This raises the question: "Can something be considered vegan if it’s manufactured where cow’s milk is present?"
The admission caused a stir on Reddit, with some dismissing it as "standard business," others saying that it's to avoid liability, and a few questioning the ethics. Is it not blatant hypocrisy to say that something is vegan, certified by a reputable group, yet may contain dairy? In truth, the reactions underscore an awareness that food companies be on some BS. Whether it contains traces of milk is less important than avoiding lawsuits.
According to the FDA, when a label says "may contain," the same equipment was used to make distinct products, which can lead to allergen contamination. Cross-contamination is some serious stuff. The CDC says that around 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from food-related illnesses. To be fair, manufacturing on a global scale is challenging and buying separate equipment is costly, often more than many businesses can afford. But that's just the cost of doing business.
There always seems to be a legal loophole that allows companies to sidestep accountability. People shouldn't be left at risk, forced to play Russian roulette with their products. A product should always be 100% what it's labeled to be. Transparency in the food industry is important, but an overhaul of the manufacturing process should be where the focus lies.
