American consumers spend over 978 Billion annually on fast food, with McDonald’s, KFC and Chick-fil-A being three of the most well-known global restaurant brands. Many US halal consumers inquire if these fast-food chains offer halal offerings; some locations do offer them while others do not; hence this AHF Insight seeks to shed some light on this subject.

While most fast-food chains in the US do not serve halal food, some locations of McDonald’s may offer it in Muslim majority nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore; and also due to having large Muslim populations in certain regions within Britain. But full implementation would require significant modifications to kitchen procedures and sourcing practices and certification of all ingredients would likely prove challenging due to McDonald’s global ownership structure.

McDonald’s does offer some vegetarian offerings in the United States, such as their classic sliced apples or salads; however, no truly vegetarian items are currently on their menu. Even their hash browns may not be completely halal as they may be prepared using oil used to fry chicken products that do not comply with Islamic Law as well as non-meat items; diners may request different frying oils but this often can’t be accommodated due to operational constraints.

McDonald’s provides vegetarian dining options that adhere to Islamic law, with some salad options containing croutons or other forbidden ingredients that must be avoided for optimal halal compatibility. Diners can customize their salad by asking for an ice cream topping or dressing without any forbidden elements.

McDonald’s desserts like apple pie may be considered halal; however, their ice cream and yogurt products are not. Although some locations use certified halal milk, most dairy products purchased at McDonald’s likely come from animals slaughtered outside halal standards; as such most scholars advise avoiding all dairy products available there.

Though McDonald’s doesn’t currently provide vegan- or vegetarian-specific halal offerings, many restaurants do provide a selection of halal menu items for customers. As well as serving fried potato products, many restaurants also provide salads which may be suitable for vegetarians if they avoid any add-ons containing meat and opt for one with a certified halal vinaigrette dressing. McDonald’s fruit options, such as apples and strawberries, can also be considered halal if they have been washed using water suitable for Muslims and prepared using halal methods of preparation. Furthermore, most of their coffee offerings can be considered kosher as long as brewed using only kosher water. For more information about McDonald’s halal offerings please contact your local restaurant to inquire further about any specific halal offerings that they have available.