Fast food has served as a cornerstone of American society for the better part of a century.
The ubiquity and popularity of fast food has brought far more than record profits.
Of course, with cultural prominence also comes increased scrutiny.
Photos: The brands. Design: Eat This, Not That!
Many of the biggest fast-food controversies have developed over time into the stuff of urban legend.
The mega successful chain even has apageon its website addressing the controversy.
We’ve seen the photo of ‘pink goop’ or ‘pink slime’ in association with McDonald’s.
Photo: rzoze19 / Shutterstock
Let’s set the record straight: this image in connection with McDonald’s is a myth.
In fact, we don’t know where it came from, but it’s not our food."
A whole lot of complaints and controversy!
Photo: Courtesy Chick-fil-A
“Not a penny more spent on your woke agenda,” one social media userposted.
Believe it or not, feces.
In all fairness to Starbucks, this is hardly an issue exclusive to the Seattle-based coffee chain.
Photo: James Andrews1 / Shutterstock. Design: Eat This, Not That!
Whopper and fries, hey."
It definitely lingered on the tongue, but we couldn’t detect any fried chicken flavor."
Reviews were similar for the original recipe nail polish.
Photo: Random Stuff I Find on VHS/ Youtube
The trouble started back in 2013 when an Australian customerposteda picture of their Footlong.
The sandwich measured a meager 11 inches instead of the advertised 12.
Our commitment remains steadfast to ensure that every Subway Footlong sandwich is 12 inches at each location worldwide."
Photo: Courtesy of KFC
The menu item was discontinued shortly after that and the taco has yet to make a return.
Taste-wise, many people did enjoy the Black Jack Taco, and its potential return is still discussed today.
In a bizarre move, Arby’s launched an ad campaign for the new bacon in 2015 targeting vegetarians.
Phoo: Subway
It’s easy to imagine how this pop in of campaign would infuriate countless vegetarians and vegans.
The hashtag #greenpoop even went viral on Twitter.
“My guess is that they’re using a concentrated form.”
Photo: Toby M. / Yelp
Forreference, a single 8.4 oz can of Red Bull includes 80 milligrams of caffeine.
Now, she reportedly deals with irregularly fast heart palpitations and takes regular medication to regulate her heartbeat.
Still, the controversial legacy of this menu item is undeniable.
Photo: McDonald’s
What made this menu item so much worse than other contenders?
The concept behind the meal was well-intentioned, at least.
Why not offer customers a little bit of everything in one meal?
Photo: Taco Bell / Facebook
The Big Catch Meal featured a 7.5 ounce deep fried fish, hush puppies, and onion rings.
A heart attack on a hook.
Instead of the Big Catch, I’d call it America’s Deadliest Catch."
Photo: Arby’s
One self-described Starbucks employee even suggested onRedditthat multiple coworkers had to use the bathroom after sampling the new beverages.
It isn’t hard to tell which sandwich won that contest.
Released in 1979, the West Coast fast-food chain was certain they had a hit on their hands.
Photo: Courtesy of Burger King
But what exactly were Frings?
As the name implies, Frings were simply fries and onion rings served together in the same bag.
Considered one of the biggest fast-food failures of the 1970s, Frings were long gone by the mid-1980s.
Photo: Panera Bread
This iconic menu item, however, is no stranger to controversy.
The change initially thrilled vegetarians and vegans, but everyone else wasn’t so happy.
McDonald’s stock reportedlydroppedby over 8% after announcing the change.
Photo: @INTLERPE / Twitter
Even today, according toTreeHugger, McDonald’s fries remain tinged with hints of beef flavoring.
The Szechuan Sauce was discontinued quickly following its original release.
Surprisingly, however, that wasn’t the end of the story.
Photo: Center for Science in the Public Interest
McDonald’s, predictably, was quick to take advantage of the viral trend.
Released in Singapore in 2009, the ads are anything but subtle and overtly sexual.
Text including “It Just Tastes Better” and “It’ll blow your mind away.
Starbucks
Alas, the big ideas behind the McDLT just didn’t quite add up in reality.
Here’s the catch: the meal wasservedin a styrofoam container that separated the meat and vegetables.
Oddly enough, that didn’t happen.
Photo: @Ink184/Twitter
The ads make light of how similar “bowls” and “balls” sound.
The timing of the campaign certainly didn’t help either.
The ads were released at the height of the #MeToo movement.
Photo: Wiki / Fandom
Stella Liebeck, the woman who filed the lawsuit, wasn’t just looking for a quick payday.
Initially, Ms. Liebeck only asked McDonald’s to cover her hospital bills (roughly $20,000).
Well, Mickey D’s initially balked at that request, instead offering a mere $800.
Photo: Boyloso / Shutterstock
Driven by discounts and the slogan “So Good It’s Scary!”
the Monster Burger enjoyed incrediblepopularityupon release.
coli outbreakcaused by the undercooked Monster Burgers was one of theworst everin U.S. history.
McDonald’s
Over 700 people became sick, 171 were hospitalized, and 4 children passed away.
All in all, 73 Jack in the Box locations were implicated in the outbreak.
The effects of this outbreak are still felt today.
Photo: @Shrednivashtar / reddit
Senator as a “a pivotal moment in the history of the beef industry.”
Understandably, it took a long time before Jack in the Box was able to repair its public image.
YouTube
Photo: Courtesy of A&W Restaurants
Jack in the Box
Photo: McDonald’s
Photo: Wiki / Fandom
