False

Do McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets Contain Silicone Oil?

Viral posts claim that McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets contain silicone oil, the same chemical used in caulking, contact lenses, and industrial lubricants. The substance in question, dimethylpolysiloxane, has sparked concern online, with many accusing McDonald’s of using “non-food” additives in its products. But is this still true? Our investigation finds that the claim is false and outdated.

Social Media Posts

The claim has been widely shared on social media, stating that “McDonald’s chicken nuggets contain silicone oil—a material commonly used in contact lenses, caulking, and lubricants.”

Source | Archive

Fact Check

Dimethylpolysiloxane and McNuggets: Historical Use vs. Current Formula

Dimethylpolysiloxane is an anti-foaming agent that McDonald’s previously used in their McNuggets’ frying oil. Though it’s found in some industrial products, the FDA deemed it safe for food use when properly regulated.

While it was approved for use in cooking oils, McDonald’s made a significant change in August 2016. McDonald’s removed dimethylpolysiloxane from both their frying oil and McNuggets as part of broader ingredient changes. The company modified its recipe to eliminate artificial preservatives and certain additives from their menu items.

The change came as consumers demanded more natural ingredients and transparency in their food. McDonald’s responded by making several improvements, including switching to cage-free eggs and antibiotic-free chicken. According to McDonald’s current US ingredient list, dimethylpolysiloxane is no longer used in any part of McNugget production. (Source)

Clarification from McDonald’s

McDonald’s has also directly addressed the claim. In response to public concern and recurring misinformation, McDonald’s has publicly clarified that Chicken McNuggets sold in the United States contain no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. The company emphasizes that its nuggets are made from 100% white meat chicken and that the recipe was reformulated in 2016 specifically to remove ingredients like dimethylpolysiloxane. These statements have been reiterated across official press releases and FAQ pages on McDonald’s corporate website to directly address consumer concerns and correct outdated claims. (Source)

Fillers and Additional Ingredients

Chicken McNuggets are not made from 100% chicken alone. Ingredients include:

White meat chicken (base protein)
Starches and flours (corn, wheat, rice, pea): used for breading, crispiness, and structure
Leavening agents, yeast extract, spices, and natural flavors
Vegetable oils (canola, corn, soybean)

These ingredients are commonly found in battered and fried processed foods. Their use is standard practice in the industry. Starches and flour serve functional purposes in the recipe, contributing to texture and structure. The current formulation uses simpler ingredients while maintaining product consistency. According to McDonald’s official statements, Chicken McNuggets sold in the US contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. (Source)

Is Dimethylpolysiloxane Dangerous?

While dimethylpolysiloxane may sound like an industrial chemical, the FDA has officially classified it as safe for food use. The agency lists it as “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) and permits its use as an additive in food processing. It serves specific purposes like preventing oil from foaming during cooking, but only in very small, carefully regulated amounts.

Although this ingredient is also found in products like Silly Putty or caulking, but food-grade versions are purified for human consumption and are subject to strict regulatory oversight

Conclusion

Our investigation shows that McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets no longer contain silicone oil (dimethylpolysiloxane) in their formulation. This ingredient was removed in 2016 when McDonald’s updated their recipe to address changing consumer preferences for ingredient transparency.

For context, dimethylpolysiloxane is used in both industrial and food applications, but when used in food products, it is regulated by the FDA and approved as food-grade safe in specified amounts. The previous inclusion of this ingredient in McNuggets’ preparation process was one of many food-grade additives used in commercial food production.