MCDONALD’S is rolling out a controversial change to its iconic french fries as a key US state grapples with packaging restrictions and impending rule changes regarding single-use plastics.
As the fast food giant switches to thin paper bags, foodies have dubbed the change “misleading,” saying the new packaging appears to hold smaller portions of fries than before.
McDonald’s is the largest fast food chain in the US by sales and number of locations[/caption]
McDonald’s is rolling out a controversial change to its beloved french fries[/caption]
One McDonald’s customer shared a photo of the packaging change to social media[/caption]
Over the years, McDonald’s has used its packaging as a means to strengthen its brand recognition and communicate the company’s values.
Amid a company shift towards more eco-friendly practices, the fast food chain is switching over to white paper bags for its beloved french fries, ditching the familiar red cartons.
The rollout of the new bags in Oahu and Maui, Hawaii, is intended to comply with local regulations that vary across the state, banning certain disposable plastics as well as packaging containing PFAS.
Also known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are found in some plastic and coated paper products.
As McDonald’s transitions to the new french fry bags, made from renewable and recyclable paper materials, customers are blasting the change online.
FRY CRY
One fan from Honolulu spotted a sign alerting foodies of the packaging change outside their local McDonald’s, sharing a picture of the notice on Reddit.
“Attention customers!” began the sign, noting that McDonald’s was transitioning to new fry bags to be in full compliance with the city and county of Honolulu’s food packaging requirements.
In addition to the notice, four of the french fry bags were taped to the sign depicting the sizes, including kids’, small, medium, and large.
Many customers took issue with the sizing, complaining that the bags seemed as if they would hold significantly less fries than the previous red cartons.
“Seriously… why would anyone ever get a large at this point?” wrote the original Redditor, as another said that the small size looked bigger than the medium fries.
Fellow customers jumped in to say that, while the medium appeared to not hold many fries, the medium bag was pleated and had a square bottom unlike the smaller sizes.
“The ounces are the same as before. The bags are misleading, but the volume is what you’d expect from any other S M L,” said one user.
“You can see the pleats in the medium and large bags that allow it to expand and increase in volume that the other two don’t have.”
While several foodies defended the change, a handful of customers, including a former employee, have argued that the new bags are “actually smaller.”
History of McDonald’s packaging
McDonald’s introduced its iconic red fry box in 1970, a design that made it both faster for workers to package fries and more convenient for fans to eat them.
The chain’s focus evolved in 1990 when it started a pioneering collaboration with environmental groups to cut back on waste, resulting in a major move away from foam packaging.
This partnership resulted in the elimination of more than 300 million pounds of packaging and a 30% reduction in waste over the following decade.
Today, McDonald’s continues its sustainability efforts by testing reusable cups and working towards its goal of sourcing 100% of guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025.
Source: McDonald’s
“The large box is 550 calories, and if I remember correctly the large bag is only around 440,” said the former McDonald’s worker.
One Facebook user posted an image of the meager serving of fries they received, crying, “What happened to the large fries?”
Aside from Hawaii, McDonald’s fans on Reddit claimed that they had seen the new packaging in Massachusetts, Southern California, Washington, and Minnesota.
The U.S. Sun reached out to McDonald’s for comment on the packaging change but did not hear back immediately.
CRACKING DOWN
McDonald’s french fry packaging change comes as Hawaii moves to crack down on single-use plastics and improve recycling statewide.
Back in May, Governor Josh Green signed HB750, which requires the state’s Department of Health to conduct a comprehensive assessment of recycling and waste management, with results due by the end of 2027.
The study will look at what is needed to cut down on waste in Hawaii, expand local recycling and reuse, and implement an extended producer responsibility program for packaging and paper products.
The legislation comes amid concerns that state landfills are nearing capacity.
An advisory council – including representatives from recycling, composting, and reuse operations – will review the assessment and make recommendations on everything from collection infrastructure to education and contamination.
The new legislation is backed by $1.5 million in annual funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
While the new paper bags were the result of existing local plastic and PFAS bans, experts say HB750 could lead to additional packaging changes for fast food chains in the future.
As McDonald’s switches up its french fry packaging, the chain’s Monopoly game is returning in just days after 10 years – see the exact details to play.
Meanwhile, Burger King has taken a swipe at McDonald’s with its new spooky special launching in weeks.
McDonald’s is switching from its red cartons to white paper bags, a change that diners fear means they’re receiving smaller portions[/caption]
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