Happy Meals immune to decay?

upi ^ | Sept. 29, 2010

[JoeProBono]

SACRAMENTO, - An art experiment suggesting McDonald's food doesn't decay has raised eyebrows -- and raised questions about just what's in those Happy Meals, observers say.

A New York photographer left a McDonald's hamburger Happy Meal, complete with a small side order of french fries, sitting on a shelf in her home for more than 18 weeks. Every three days, Sally Davies took a photo of the food.

By day 137, the food looked pretty much the same, KTXL-TV, Sacramento, reported.

Some were quick to assume McDonald's is using preservatives to create the appearance of "fresh" food.

But scientists say preservatives aren't the main reason why the Golden Arches' food won't break down -- it's fat.

Fries and burgers sold by McDonald's are high in fat -- more than 50 percent of the calories found in McDonald's french fries come from fat, the same amount as in the restaurant chain's burgers.

"Anything that is high in fat will be low in moisture," Washington State University Professor Barry Swanson said.

Low moisture on a surface means mold can't grow, which means the food can't decay.

And don't forget the salt.

A McDonald's double cheeseburger contains 1,150 milligrams of sodium, while a large order of fries contains 350 milligrams.

Sodium acts as a preservative, contributing to a low decay rate.

[JoeProBono]

[WAW]

Smiles...

[Niuhuru]

I remember my former boyfriend told me that bodies were decaying at a slower rate, interestingly because people are eating so many preservatives that perversely prevent decaying from death.

[max americana]

The 2 best double-cheese burgers for $1: McDo’s and BK.

[JoeProBono]

[GraceG]

By the transitive property, eat McDonalds and never decay, save money on embalming fuid.

[svcw]

Hummm, apparently she has never had a grandchild throw their happy meal under the car seat only to be found two weeks later nearly liquified in that same happy meal box.

[aruanan]

The 2 best double-cheese burgers for $1: McDo’s and BK.

Here in Chicago they're no longer double-cheese burgers. They're double hamburgers with a single slice of cheese. They used to have two slices of cheese and were called double cheese burgers on the dollar menu. Now they're called McDoubles.

[aruanan]

The 2 best double-cheese burgers for $1: McDo’s and BK.

They still taste really good, though.

[JoeProBono]

[max americana]

I formerly had co-workers who would spend $2 on those Mcdoubles then bring their own soda at the dollar store. 6 cans for $1. So those value meals really stretch your budget. I just wouldnt do that every lunchtime though LOL

[aruanan]

I miss the two slices of cheese, but it still tastes good.

[MEGoody]

If the food hadn’t decayed any, why didn’t the photographer eat it? Well, of course it was in the process of decaying, that’s why. Just trying to make political points.

[aruanan]

If the food hadn’t decayed any, why didn’t the photographer eat it? Well, of course it was in the process of decaying, that’s why. Just trying to make political points.

And even if it's not "decaying," the oil will oxidize and become rancid.

[muawiyah]

Years ago when White Castles were still 15 cents I had 6 every lunch, with a chocolate shake, and some fries, all summer long. One day I didn't ~ went to a beer joint with the two firemen who worked part time with us and had a regular hamburger with home made pickles not to be replaced on this planet.

They're out of business.

[a fool in paradise]

They act as if flavored tofu “hotdogs” aren’t a processed foodstuff.

[boop]

Let’s see the same experiment with “healthy, organic” vegetables for 18 weeks and see the results. You’d conclude that you’d never touch the stuff, it would be so rotten and decayed.

[JoeProBono]

[BwanaNdege]

"If I rub myself in fat instead of showering, will I stay forever young?

Salt is also a factor. My wife says her salty old former Marine husband is a "12 year old trapped in a 63 year old body". That body is now wrapped in about 40 lbs more fat than it was 32 years ago, so I guess your theory is correct. ;-)

[Atlas Sneezed]

I’m drooling over those wonderful salt-packed anchovies!