A former McDonald’s chef has shared the real reason why the chain’s ketchup tastes different from Heinz’s version of the dipping sauce — and it boils down to a few key ingredients.
Mike Haracz, of Schaumburg, Illinois, worked at the franchise until 2019, and he’s become a viral TikTok star in recent months as he shared countless secrets about the popular fast food company.
He recently addressed what’s really in the ketchup that McDonald’s offers, in response to a TikToker who questioned why the burger chain’s version of the condiment “tastes so much different” than ketchup served elsewhere.
The TikToker, named Marco, theorized that McDonald’s uses more vinegar in its ketchup than Heinz, its most famous ketchup brand – which the fast food chain used to use until it switched to its own-brand recipe in 2013.
A former McDonald’s chef has shared the real reason why the chain’s ketchup tastes different than Heinz’s version of the dipping sauce — and it boils down to a few key ingredients
Mike Haracz, of Schaumburg, Illinois, worked at the franchise until 2019 and has become a viral TikTok star in recent months for sharing secrets about the fast food company.
The truth comes to light: he recently revealed what is really in the ketchup that McDonald’s offers (stock image)
He also said he believes McDonald’s puts honey in the ketchup, but Mike quickly debunked this theory.
“I am a former McDonald’s chef. I guarantee neither (McDonald’s or Heinz) put honey in their ketchup,” he said.
Mike explained that McDonald’s ketchup is actually “almost identical” to the ingredients in Heinz’s ketchup, except for a few minor details.
He was responding to a TikToker, named Marco (seen), who questioned why the burger chain’s version of the condiment “beats so much differently” than ketchup served elsewhere
He explained that Heinz adds a bit more spice to the dipping sauce, which is probably why they taste different.
“If you go to McDonald’s website and look at the ingredients statement under the ketchup and compare it to Heinz’s ketchup, it’s pretty much identical,” he continued.
Heinz even added some added ingredients to it, which might make it even more flavorful. I don’t know, it’s up to you to decide if it’s better or not.
“But the ingredient statements are pretty much identical.” There doesn’t actually seem to be a big difference between the McDonald’s ketchup and the regular Heinz ketchup recipe, based on the ingredient statements.’
According to McDonald’s website, the ketchup is made from tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt and natural flavors.
Marco theorized that McDonald’s uses more vinegar in its ketchup than Heinz. He also said he believes McDonald’s puts honey in its ketchup, but Mike quickly debunked this theory
Mike explained that McDonald’s ketchup is actually “almost identical” to the ingredients in Heinz’s ketchup, except for a few minor details. He also said neither uses honey
McDonald’s website lists tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, salt and natural flavors in the ketchup ingredients
As for Heinz, it contains all the same stuff, as well as “spices” and onion powder
As for Heinz, it contains all the same ingredients, as well as “spices” and onion powder.
However, it is unclear how much of each product is used in the sauce, so it is certainly possible that the proportions differ.
McDonald’s used to serve Heinz ketchup in its restaurants, but after their partnership ended in 2013, it announced it would start making its own ketchup.
Since then, people have debated the difference in the taste and consistency of McDonald’s ketchup, with many wondering if the company added something special to make it more palatable. And now, thanks to Mike, we finally have the answer.
The former McDonald’s employee has spoken out via the app about a slew of other things he’s learned from his years as a McDonald’s chef — including why the chain doesn’t offer certified gluten-free products on its menus.
In a recent video, he warned that there is “gluten all over the kitchen,” which makes it difficult for them to serve people who are allergic to the protein.
Mike said, “Heinz added some added ingredients, which might make it even more flavorful.” I don’t know, it’s up to you to decide. But the ingredients are almost identical’
The former McDonald’s employee has spoken out on the app about a slew of other things he’s learned from his years as a McDonald’s chef — including why he doesn’t offer gluten-free products
He said McDonald’s — which has about 13,500 locations across America — is not taking the “appropriate sanitation measures” or not bringing its crew members up to the “training level” required to serve a gluten-free item because of its immense “volume and size.” . ‘ from the company.
He also shared a hack that allows customers to save money when they buy a Big Mac at McDonald’s. He suggested ordering a “McDouble like a Mac” instead, which is $2 cheaper and pretty much the same
“Wheat is just hanging in the air there,” he added. ‘It can cross-contaminate products. It’s a risk they don’t want to take.
‘The level of education, the age and the skill level of the people in their kitchens are only at a certain level.
“Making sure it’s consistently safe for celiacs (in 13,500 restaurants) would be incredibly difficult.”
He added that the “biggest” dive is always whether something will be “profitable” for the brand.
Last week, he also went viral for sharing a hack that allowed customers to save money when they bought a Big Mac at McDonald’s.
He suggested ordering a “McDouble like a Mac” instead, which is two dollars cheaper and practically the same as a Big Mac.
He also talked about a secret item on the menu that you can’t get until 10:35: a burger with an egg on top.