by Jeanne Yacoubou, MS
VRG Research Director
Wendy’s now offers skin-on French fries made from whole Russet potatoes and seasoned with sea salt. Ingredient information posted on their website indicates that the “natural flavors” used in these fries are vegetable-derived. All other ingredients appear to be all-vegetable or synthetic.
The VRG called Wendy’s in May 2011 to find out more information about this new side menu item. We spoke with Rachel, a consumer relations specialist. When we asked if the Natural-Cut French Fries were all-vegetable, she replied “I can read off the ingredients from the list to you; that’s all I can say.” When we inquired whether she would confirm that the fries were all-vegetable, as they appear to be, she would not confirm it.
Rachel stated that there is no designated fryer for French fries at Wendy’s. In fact, the fries are cooked in the same oil as Wendy’s fish and chicken products. Rachel also said that “even if there were designated fryers, cross-contamination [with meat products] would still be possible because the cooking oil used in all the fryers would be filtered at the same time.”
Wendy’s Natural-Cut French Fries are available at all participating Wendy’s restaurants nationwide.