A fascinating discovery by a TikToker has sparked discussions about the shelf life of fast food, especially McDonald’s, after she claimed that a Big Mac she left on a plate for over a year showed no signs of mold and even the lettuce remained green. Naa Adjeley Tsofanye, a medical herbalist, came across this strange phenomenon when she observed that the lettuce on the Big Mac she left out for over a year was still a bright green color. Intrigued by this unexpected result, she decided to conduct a similar experiment with a side salad from McDonald’s. Tsofanye started her experiment on February 2 with a Big Mac and fries. After a year and three weeks, she checked the experiment and was amazed to see no visible mold on the burger. Holding the beef patty up to the camera, she pointed out, “As you can see, the lettuce is still green after a year.”
As she peeled the lettuce off the aged burger, she remarked in surprise, “This lettuce from this Big Mac is actually quite deep green.” Amazingly, she spotted moisture on the lettuce, indicating that it had not completely dried out over the year. In disbelief, she declared, “I don’t think this is normal. I really think this is crazy. It’s so crazy.” Surprised by her results, Tsofanye announced that she would monitor the Big Mac’s lettuce on a separate white paper, as well as a side salad from McDonald’s. As she poured the lettuce onto a plate, she remarked, “I want to see what happens to this lettuce. I want to see if the reason this salad hasn’t turned brown after a year and three weeks has to do with the salad itself or the environment this salad was in.” The TikTok video showing her experiment garnered widespread attention, with viewers reacting in a variety of ways – from shock to amusement.
Some users were alarmed by the longevity of the Big Mac and salad, joking about passing down the food they received across generations. Others expressed skepticism about the quality of McDonald’s food, with one commenter vowing never to eat there again. This wasn’t the first time Tsofanye had conducted such experiments. Previously, she studied the shelf life of a McPlant, a vegan meal offered by McDonald’s. The McPlant she purchased in June 2023 showed little sign of deterioration after three months, leading Tsofanye to question the freshness of plant-based options at fast-food chains.
In response to queries about McDonald’s preservation methods, a spokesperson explained that their iceberg lettuce is made fresh without any preservatives. Likewise, their burger patties are made from 100% British and Irish beef, with no added preservatives, except for a pinch of salt and pepper when grilling. Tsofanye’s experiments have sparked important discussions about food quality, preservation methods and consumer awareness. With growing concerns about the health impact of processed foods, her findings serve as a reminder to critically examine the food we consume and its long-term effects.
