Complain about a product or service

Warning To Fast Food Consumers: Actual Calories May Vary

December 5, 2005
Fast food restaurants are beginning to post the caloric content of their food so consumers can do a better job of watching their waistlines. But a British consumer group charges the four largest fast food chains in the UK are consistently underestimating those calories.

According to Consumer's Association, McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut are off by 100 calories or more on some of their calorie calculations. Researchers for the group's magazine, Which, purchased 20 food items from the four restaurant chains. The items as received were tested by an independent, accredited food laboratory.

The researchers say they found that a Big Mac and medium French fries meal, which McDonald's says contains 786 calories, actually had 900 calories. A Whopper and regular French fries meal, which Burger King says contains 13 grams of saturated fat, was found to actually have 19 grams. KFC's Zinger Crunch Salad, which was supposed to contain 2.4 grams of saturated fat, actually had 6.7 grams.

The reason for the discrepancies, according to the restaurants, is the portions reviewed by the Which researchers were larger, or different than the ones the company tested to determine caloric content.

In one case the restaurant staff “over portioned” the order. In another, the restaurant staff used a high-fat salad dressing and added croutons.

The consumer group suggests people watching their calories should take the restaurant's posted calories with a grain of salt, keeping in mind the sandwich they're eating could have a more generous serving of condiments than the one the company tested.

Though he welcomed McDonald's recent announcement that it will add nutrition labels to food packaging, Which editor Malcolm Colms said, restaurants should give people accurate information on the amount of fat, sugar and salt in foods, prominently displayed so customers can see it before they order.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.