What’s In McDonald’s Most Cult-Favorite Meal Will Scare You

If you’re a big Mickey D’s fan, you’ve probably heard the news — the McRib is back at select McDonald’s locations. The sandwich is one of McDonald’s most iconic, and it’s been about a year since it was last on the menu. As an odd-yet-still-delightful item, the McRib has a pretty dedicated fanbase. But before you stock up, here are a few things you might want to know about the McRib. Such as, what’s inside?

It’s important to acknowledge that McDonald’s has been on a bit of a health kick recently. They removed almost all artificial ingredients from their burgers and switched to fresh beef for their Quarter Pounders. Also, a Kid’s Meal today looks almost nothing like it did back in the ’90s. Fruit is a top option, as well as yogurt for a side. But that doesn’t mean that the McRib has gotten a makeover as well. It’s safe to say that this isn’t the healthiest item on the menu.

Still — you only live once, and who knows when the McRib will be back after this brief span of time. The ingredients aren’t the worst, but some are questionable.

First, the McRib is made of pork. The boneless sandwich also includes a fair amount of tangy barbecue sauce, which consists of ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, molasses, natural smoke flavoring, and xanthan gum. Xanthan gum, by the way, is a popular thickener that’s also used in products like toothpaste.

While it might raise an eyebrow, xanthan gum is actually in a lot of the foods you eat. The sauce also contains sodium benzoate, which is a chemical preservative that you shouldn’t consume too much of in any given day. Especially since it’s often found in beauty products.

Is the McRib unsafe? If you’re careful with how often and how many you eat, you should be fine. It’s tough not to gorge if you’re a fan, since their availability is so limited. But like all fast food, it’s usually best to save the McRib for a special occasion.