MCDONALD’S has revealed why its iconic McRib will never become a permanent fixture on its menus in the UK.
The barbecue-flavoured pork sandwich has not been seen on these shores for nearly a decade – though will be back in a matter of days.
The McDonald’s McRib is coming back to menus this week[/caption]
A UK McDonald’s fast food restaurant[/caption]
The Sun’s Sam Walker taste tests the new McDonald’s McRib[/caption]
The fast food giant has confirmed it will return for a limited run from Wednesday (October 16).
The sandwich – first introduced to Brits in 1981 – was discontinued just four years later, although has returned several times since.
It was last on sale in December 2014.
It is not clear why McDonald’s has suddenly decided to bring it back – despite claims it simply waits for pork prices to drop significantly.
But the reason the McRib has never been brought back properly appears to relate to grill capacity, and rules around keeping beef and pork separate in the UK.
A spokesperson told The Sun: “The McRib is a limited-edition product and will be available whilst stocks last.
“In the UK, we consider it important to separate pork and beef on the grill, so separate cooking processes and dedicated utensils have been implemented across our restaurants to allow us to satisfy McRib fans and finally bring it back to the UK.”
The Sun has been told McDonald’s staff have undergone special training on handling the McRib, which will be cooked on the left-hand platen of the quarter grill.
This avoids the transfer of juices into the middle platen, which is dedicated to cooking beef.
On being asked previously about the McRib never being brought back permanently, McDonald’s said: “Unfortunately, many of our restaurants do not have enough grill capacity to cook pork and beef products at the same time.
“The breakfast menu is different because we don’t serve beef products, which allows us to have a dedicated grill for all our delicious pork products.”
How to save at McDonald’s
You could end up being charged more for a McDonald’s meal based solely on the McDonald’s restaurant you choose.
Research by The Sun found a Big Mac meal can be up to 30% cheaper at restaurants just two miles apart from each other.
You can pick up a Big Mac and fries for just £2.99 at any time by filling in a feedback survey found on McDonald’s receipts.
The receipt should come with a 12-digit code which you can enter into the Food for Thought website alongside your submitted survey.
You’ll then receive a five-digit code which is your voucher for the £2.99 offer.
There are some deals and offers you can only get if you have the My McDonald’s app, so it’s worth signing up to get money off your meals.
The MyMcDonald’s app can be downloaded on iPhone and Android phones and is quick to set up.
You can also bag freebies and discounts on your birthday if you’re a My McDonald’s app user.
The chain has recently sent out reminders to app users to fill out their birthday details – otherwise they could miss out on birthday treats.
There is some debate among industry specialists in relation to the pork market and why McDonald’s has reintroduced the menu favourite now.
A spokesperson for the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) told us: “Pork prices at the moment are averaging well above the 5 year average and supplies have been short for pork with the UK breeding herd the smallest we have ever known it so the UK prices have been about 20% higher than the EU price.
“Whatever the driver for the introduction of the McRib I can’t see that it is due to lower prices or an increased supply.”
However, Red Tractor said: “Pig prices have dropped this year after a long term rise.
“The pig price is pretty cyclical and also very much influenced by the EU pig price – if that’s reduced it pulls the UK pig price down.
“So, we think it’s fair to say that there is a fair amount of ‘heads up’ on direction of travel of the pig price.
“We wouldn’t be able to say whether that drove McDonald’s to re-introduce the McRib, unfortunately.”
