Chemical Additive in McNuggets within Limits

China’s food safety agency has said the petrol-based chemical additive used in McDonald’s chicken McNuggets is within legal limits.

The State Food and Drug Administration tested samples of McNuggets and cooking oil from 22 McDonald’s restaurants in four provinces and municipalities including Beijing and Shanghai.

Results showed that levels of tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) in the product are within the national food additive limit of 200mg/kg.

The tests have been carried out in response to reports that McNuggets sold in the US contain dimethylpolysiloxane, an anti-foaming agent, and TBHQ.

The administration did not report for dimethylpolysiloxane as China has not yet published national standards on the additive.