Folded Egg

On Friday, friend of So Good, Serious Eats dropped a little bit of knowledge about the breakfast experience at McDonald’s. The info was that customers can ask to swap out the folded egg-type-thing for an actual egg, on muffins, biscuits, etc., at no cost.

McDonalds receipt

While an interesting tip, I started thinking about the larger issue here: What exactly is the “folded egg,” and why would anyone want it in the first place.

From McDonald’s site, the nitty gritty:
Folded Egg

Pasteurized Whole Eggs, Modified Food Starch, Soybean Oil, Natural Flavors (Plant Source), Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Carrageenan, Flavor Enhancer (Salt, Maltodextrin, Natural Flavor [Plant Source], Spices, Herb, Turmeric [Color]), Monosodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Soy Lecithin.

CONTAINS: EGG, SOY LECITHIN.
Allergens: EGG, SOY LECITHIN, SOY LECITHIN

First, it is actually comforting to see that the product does contain “egg.” Secondly, read through that ingredient list again. That bad boy has been flavor-enhanced within an inch of its life. Oh, and sodium acid pyrophosphate, that can be used to remove iron stains from leather hides. And monosodium phosphate, that’s a laxative. Soy Lecithin? Do you have a PhD?

But don’t worry, they are all perfectly safe modified additives found in tons of highly-processed food. And they’re delicious!

Now I certainly can’t vouch for the “real” egg that you can request in lieu of the folded egg – that is probably a whole other conversation, but doesn’t it have to be better than the combined ingredients above?

As always, you are the consumer, and it is up to you what you are going to eat. I am just of the opinion that is it good to know what goes into such foods before you make your choice.

Did you know about this choice to switch eggs? Would you do this in the future?

H/t to Serious Eats for the middle photo and to the fast food king for the idealized top shot.

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JT

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8 Responses

  1. Rodzilla

    I would definitely switch out to the regular egg, it’s just too bad that it’s still prepared with a bunch of crap. Would eggs prepared in butter be that hard?

    CONTAINS: EGG.
    Prepared with Liquid Margarine: Liquid Soybean Oil and Hydrogenated Cottonseed and Soybean Oils, Water, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Mono and Diglycerides, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (Preservatives), Artificial Flavor, Citric Acid, Vitamin A Palmitate, Beta Carotene (Color).
    CONTAINS: SOY LECITHIN.

    Reply
  2. Lewis

    I’m pretty sure the ’round egg’ substitute just means they use the egg mcmuffin style egg. Here is what in those:

    USDA Grade A eggs, soy lecithin (release agent). Prepared with Liquid Margarine.

    Liquid Margarine:
    Liquid soybean oil, water, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, soy lecithin, mono-and diglycerides, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives), artificial flavor, citric acid, vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene (color).

    So… yeah, not much better.

    Reply
  3. TJ

    I think Lewis is right… honestly I think the scrambled type egg that comes standard on a biscuit is better than the Mcmuffin one. They’re both decent though, and it’s an interesting option in any case.

    Reply
  4. Peter

    Fast food restaurants will make almost anything however you want, you just have to ask.

    The round egg is indeed the one from the McMuffin; those are made fresh at each location. They may be prepared in some weird margarine, but I still prefer them to the folded egg, which is a pre-made egg mixture.

    You can also buy any egg (folded, round or scrambled) separately. My trick was to buy the $1 Sausage McMuffin and then a separate round egg for $1, because the Sausage McMuffin with egg costs about $2.99. Then, to my chagrin, my local McD’s caught on and started charging $1.90 for an egg, which is preposterous. Damn you, uneven McDonald’s pricing. I could almost buy a dozen for that at the grocery store.

    Reply
  5. Rick

    I worked at McD’s circa 2000. The round egg patties are real eggs and they had stacks of egg cartons in the walk-in fridge. They had a little grill plate that the egg was cracked into and it cooked in place.

    The yellow folded egg came in a container similar to an orange juice carton and it was labelled PWE for “processed white egg.” It poured like orange juice too, now that I think of it. That was poured into a different grill plate and folded by spatula when done.

    I don’t really remember any patrons asking for one or the other in substitute.

    Reply
  6. sue

    lol, please. You’re eating a tortured, dead animal sandwich that’s full of fat. It’s going to kill you. You’re honestly worried about soy lecithin? Give me a break.

    Reply
  7. Liz dion

    I have an intolerance to eggs. They make my stomach cramp for hours. Interestingly enough, the only eggs I can eat are the yellow folded ones from mcdonalds. Thank you mcdonalds for letting me feel like normal person once in a while and be able to eat “eggs” for breakfast

    Reply
  8. Tina

    Pull out the eggs said Tina Monteros. McDonald’s is standing on my chest. Why are my hands lobsters?

    Reply

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