By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS
\nVRG Research Director<\/p>\n
Available only in Canada, Santa Fe and Mediterranean Signature McWraps\u00ae debuted in late August 2013. The VRG spoke with Ontario Customer Relations Specialist Diana in September 2013 to find out more information about the new wraps. We were told that both wraps can be made to order without milk- and egg-containing components such as the cheeses and sauces. All of the components\u2019 ingredients are listed on McDonald\u2019s Canada website: http:\/\/www1.mcdonalds.ca\/NutritionCalculator\/IngredientFactsEN.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Santa Fe Signature McWrap\u00ae<\/b> We learned that the black beans do not contain meat or animal-based flavors. (In the Ingredient Facts document, the beans are listed under the entry for \u201cSouthwest Salad Vegetable Blend.\u201d) The Monterey and cheddar cheeses are made with microbial enzymes. The chili lime glaze is listed as containing plant-based natural flavors and appears all-vegetable from the website Ingredients Facts document. Also from that listing, the southwest sauce contains \u201cfrozen egg yolk.\u201d<\/p>\n Diana called us back within thirty-six hours of our initial conversation with answers to more of our questions about the McWraps\u00ae. Regarding the McWraps\u00ae, she stated that: (1) \u201cThe \u2018flavoring preparation\u2019 in the whole wheat tortilla is not animal-based\u201d; and (2) \u201cThe natural flavor in the chili lime tri-colored tortilla strips is not animal-sourced.\u201d The tortilla is listed in the Ingredient Facts document as containing monoglycerides of an unspecified source. The tortilla dough conditioner ingredients do not include L-cysteine.<\/p>\n Mediterranean Signature McWrap\u00ae<\/b> According to the website\u2019s Ingredients Facts document, it appears that the hummus is all-vegetable. The Lemon Crispy Onions in the Mediterranean McWrap\u00ae are listed as containing natural flavors of an unspecified source.<\/p>\n Customer Relations Specialist Diana told us in her call back to us that the feta cheese crumbles and the feta in the Mediterranean sauce contain \u201clipase that is animal-based.\u201d On the Ingredients Facts document, the Mediterranean sauce is also listed as containing \u201cfrozen egg yolk.\u201dThe McDonald\u2019s Canada website contains a FAQ page which states that there are thousands of consumer questions on it along with responses from McDonald\u2019s Canada. http:\/\/yourquestions.mcdonalds.ca\/ The page lists inquirers\u2019 locations and often shows their thumbnail photos. There is a search function on this page for easy information retrieval. Many questions are specific to certain menu items but several are quite general (and candid) about McDonald\u2019s Canada policy on a wide range of food topics. There are questions related to vegetarian and vegan issues.<\/p>\n The contents of this article, our website, and our other publications, including the Vegetarian Journal<\/a>, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company employees or company statements. Information does change and mistakes are always possible. Please use your own best judgrment about whether a product is suitable for you. Further research or confirmation may be warranted.<\/p>\n
\nAs stated on the McDonald\u2019s Canada website, the Santa Fe McWrap\u00ae is made with \u201c\u2026tomatoes, red onions, shredded lettuce, fire roasted corn & black beans, with crispy tortilla strips. Topped with Monterey and cheddar cheese, with chili lime glaze and southwest sauce – all wrapped in a warm whole wheat soft-shell tortilla.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe McDonald\u2019s Canada website states that the Mediterranean McWrap\u00ae contains \u201c\u2026tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, shredded lettuce and feta cheese, topped with roasted garlic hummus and feta sauce, all wrapped in a warm whole wheat soft-shell tortilla.\u201d The Ingredients Facts document lists this menu item as containing \u201cLemon Crispy Onions\u201d as well. Customer Relations Specialist Diana confirmed this.<\/p>\n