A former McDonald's chef is not just debunking the misconception that McDonald's burgers never decay and their buns never mold, but also offering a detailed explanation for the reason behind their seemingly perpetual fresh appearance.
Mike Haracz, previously a corporate chef at McDonald's, debunked the notion on his TikTok that McDonald's burgers never decompose. He clarified that what actually happens is the dehydration of the bun or burger.
As highlighted by Haracz, McDonald's incorporates ingredients in its burgers and buns that prevent mold growth. When kept in a sealed setting to retain moisture, similar to any typical bun, they will eventually mold within one to two weeks. He recommended conducting an experiment by placing a McDonald's burger in a Ziploc bag or a comparable container to witness its decay rate.
Regarding the reason behind why numerous individuals can retrieve weeks-old burgers that still appear fresh, Haracz elucidated that McDonald's prepares their burgers and meats thoroughly, removing raw protein and depending on dehydration for preservation.
"The content contains notably reduced moisture and fat," he clarified. "Post-cooking, they season it with salt, reducing water activity. The salt absorbs any residual moisture essential for the growth of microbes and other organisms."
Hence, by storing that burger for several months, you're not engaging in a scientific investigation; rather, you're essentially producing jerky and croutons," noted Haracz.
Haracz has a track record of unveiling McDonald's secrets, with his latest revelation being just one example. In 2023, he gained recognition for revealing the least ideal moments to visit McDonald's, singling out 10:30 a.m. as the most inconvenient time due to the shift from breakfast to lunch. Quite enlightening, wouldn't you say?