Can Coeliacs Eat at McDonald’s Australia? Exploring Gluten Free Options
How safe is a Maccas trip if you live wth coeliac disease and need to avoid cross-contamination?
We miss out on so much when diagnosed with coeliac or going strictly gluten free for other health reasons. One of those things is McDonald’s, or what Aussies affectionately have coined as “Macca’s”.
We totally understand your grief around not having that quick, easy (and let’s be honest - not the most nutritious) feed anymore since being diagnosed with coeliac disease.
Here’s a video of my last go-to gluten-containing Maccas feed: my beloved Big Mac meal with a side of Nuggets.
It was the very last time I was able to enjoy a McDonald’s meal while completing the gluten challenge before my coeliac disease diagnosis. When diagnosed, I was keen to know if there were any safe gluten free Maccas options. Do they have 100% gluten free options and do they understand cross-contamination protocols? And, most importantly - a dedicated gluten free prep area in their kitchens and a dedicated gluten free fryer? The answers - if they can be called that - are confusing and varied.
What we Understand About McDonald’s Australia and Gluten Free
McDonald’s Australia state on their website: “Unfortunately, McDonald’s can’t guarantee any food items are free from nuts or gluten. There is always a risk that allergens may be transferred to our ingredients during transportation, storage or preparation in our kitchens.”
If you wish, you can dive into the specific ingredients list of menu items at McDonald’s.
It comes down to the individual living with coeliac disease, or who is gluten free for other reasons, whether they want to take the risk of cross-contamination. Our blog on may contain gluten statements and cross-contamination delves further into this topic.
Personally each time I ask about gluten free options I am met with confused looks or long silences around my mention of coeliac disease and gluten free options. This may differ within each establishment but we haven’t investigated further.
When staff do understand, they have told me there is always a risk of cross contamination. I have seen people on gluten free Facebook groups purchase hash browns, chips and burgers without a bun, often opting to bring their own gluten free bun or buy one after purchasing.
Exploring Global Coeliac-Friendly Options with International McDonald’s
So, can you eat safe gluten free McDonald’s anywhere else in the world? Well, according to My Gluten Free Guide’s post Gluten Free McDonalds - Where To Find It, it turns out “there are quite a few countries offering gluten free McDonald’s burgers with buns and more coeliac-friendly choices!
The restaurants all state that they have processes in place to minimise the risk of cross-contamination, which typically involves a dedicated area of the kitchen, gluten free toaster and/or sealed gluten free bread buns.”
Wait.. what!? That’s right gluten free fam - there are places in the world you can actually purchase coeliac-safe gluten free options at McDonald’s. According to My Gluten Free Guide’s list (keep in mind this was published in 2020), here’s the list of countries:
● Andorra
● Austria
● The Canary Islands
● Czech Republic
● Denmark
● Finland
● Gibraltar
● Hungary
● Ibiza
● Italy
● Majorca
● Menorca
● The Netherlands
● Norway
● Portugal
● Spain
● Sweden
● Switzerland
That’s a whole lotta countries hey! Don’t believe us? Check this out: Matt from Gluten Free Street Gang finding gluten free McDonald’s in Europe! He walks you through ordering the meal and the precautions to take when doing so.
Here’s an Instagram post from Becky Excell enjoying a gluten free feed in the UK:
Phil Hates Gluten, the hilarious gluten free content creator based in the US has put out a request to McDonald’s US:
Making Sense of Gluten Free Options at Macca’s
So, why can’t we do the same? What’s happening McDonald’s Australia? Sounds like you need to pick up your game and begin to cater for the estimated 10-15 % of Australians who now follow a gluten free diet, either due to coeliac disease or other health reasons.
Do you live with coeliac disease or are you gluten free for other reasons and eat at McDonald’s in Australia? We’re keen to hear your experience and what options you’ve found safe.
* Please note: as McDonald’s is a chain establishment all efforts will be made to avoid cross-contamination of gluten but can’t be guaranteed.
Also what happens at one establishment may not occur with the same precautions or knowledge at another and this knowledge and care will also vary amongst various staff. Take care, ask all the questions you feel are necessary to avoid cross-contamination to the best of your ability and do what’s best for you.
