A fascinating discovery by a TikToker has sparked discussions about the longevity of fast food, particularly McDonald’s, after she claimed that a Big Mac she left on a plate for over a year showed no signs of mould, and even the lettuce remained green.
Naa Adjeley Tsofanye, a medical herbalist, stumbled upon this curious phenomenon when she observed that the lettuce on the Big Mac she had left for more than a year was still a vibrant green color. Intrigued by this unexpected result, she decided to conduct a similar experiment with a side salad from McDonald’s.
Tsofanye initiated her experiment on February 2, starting with a Big Mac and fries. After a year and three weeks had passed, she revisited her experiment and was astonished to find that there was no visible mould on the burger. Holding up the beef patty to the camera, she pointed out, “As you can see, the lettuce after a year is still green.”
Continuing her examination, she peeled away the lettuce from the aged burger and remarked, “This lettuce from this Big Mac is actually quite a serious deep green.” Surprisingly, she noticed moisture on the lettuce, indicating that it hadn’t entirely dried out over the course of the year. She expressed her disbelief, stating, “I don’t think it’s normal. I really think that’s crazy. It is so crazy.”
Stunned by her findings, Tsofanye announced her intention to monitor the lettuce from the Big Mac on a separate piece of white paper, as well as a side salad from McDonald’s. Pouring out the contents of the salad onto a plate, she remarked, “I want to see what happens to this salad. I want to see whether the fact that this lettuce didn’t go brown after a year and three weeks has to do with the lettuce or the environment this lettuce was in.”
The TikTok video showcasing her experiment garnered significant attention, with viewers expressing a range of reactions from shock to amusement. Some users were alarmed by the longevity of the Big Mac and lettuce, joking about passing down the preserved food through generations. Others expressed skepticism about the quality of McDonald’s food, with one commenter vowing never to eat there again.
This isn’t the first time Tsofanye has conducted such experiments. Previously, she investigated the durability of a McPlant, a vegan meal offered by McDonald’s. Purchased in June 2023, the McPlant showed little signs of decay after three months, prompting Tsofanye to question the freshness of plant-based options at fast-food chains.
Responding to inquiries about the preservation methods used by McDonald’s, a spokesperson clarified that their Iceberg lettuce is freshly prepared without any preservatives. Similarly, their burger patties are made from 100% British and Irish beef, with no preservatives added except for a pinch of salt and pepper during grilling.
Tsofanye’s experiments have sparked important conversations about food quality, preservation methods, and consumer awareness. As concerns about the impact of processed foods on health continue to grow, her findings serve as a reminder to critically examine the food we consume and its long-term effects.