Hundreds of fast food lovers have signed a petition pressuring McDonald’s so as to add more gluten-free options to the menu.
Chloe Radzikowski, 22, got the no-dough ball rolling last yr after discovering she had developed an intolerance.
The U.K.-based paramedic in training was forced to go cold turkey on a few of her favorite foods —including your entire menu at McDonald’s, where she often hits the drive-thru together with her co-workers.
The petition has already been signed by 5,600 different people, including some outstanding Britons — with latest names being added on a regular basis, in line with Radzikowski.
“Every 30 seconds another person would sign — I couldn’t imagine it, she told SWNS.
“Last yr I used to be having stomach problems and I went for some tests,” Radzikowski explained.
“My friend suggested not eating gluten and inside a couple of months I lost two stones and it modified my life — I feel so a lot better.”
“But after I’m with my friends and we go for a McDonald’s after an evening out I”m just there waiting to go home while they eat.”
“It’s not nearly being eating, it’s about being along with your friends and convenience.”
For individuals who’ve been fortunate enough to never experience gluten intolerance, Radzikowski revealed what it actually means.
“The one way I can describe [what it’s like when I eat gluten] is because the worst period pain you’ve ever had times ten,” she confessed.
“And then you definitely’re going to the bathroom too — I’ve only been sick a couple of times but honest to God its horrible.”
“You’re lethargic and it lasts for a couple of days.”
Radzikowski said she was inspired to start out the petition after vacationing in countries like Spain and Italy, where McDonald’s appears to cheerfully cater to its gluten-free clientele.
“Last yr in August I went to Lanzarote with my family and we were in a McDonald’s,” said the coed, currently studying on the University of Central Lancashire.
“My mom was like ‘Chloe, look!’ and there was a full gluten-free section.”
“I actually stood in McDonald’s crying.”
“That they had like six different burgers with gluten-free bread provided by a brand called Schar. It was the identical at Burger King.”
Back home in the UK, she was told that only the hash browns and french fries at McDonald’s may very well be considered secure — assuming the kitchen had made the suitable efforts to avoid cross-contamination.
McDonald’s in america is similarly off-limits for victims.
“McDonald’s currently doesn’t certify any menu items as gluten-free,” the corporate states as a caution on its American site. “We encourage you to examine the ingredients information for individual menu items.”
Radzikowski wants things to alter within the U.K. — or, not less than a proof as to why gluten-free works in some countries but not in others.
“”Not less than give us answers — they’ve managed to do it in other countries. I just want the identical menu as abroad and to have the option to simply go to the screen and order,” she said.
“I believe I’ve read before that McDonald’s say their kitchens aren’t large enough but they’ve built so many latest restaurants and made space for a vegan burger,” she said, referring to the U.K.’s McPlant, made with a patty produced by trendy plant-based supplier Beyond Meat.
“Oh my God, I’d do anything for a chicken nugget now,” she joked.
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for McDonald’s sent this statement: “All restaurant crew are required to finish allergen awareness training, where they study legally recognized allergens and the importance of preparing orders which were customized from our standard menu.”
“We also provide clear allergen labeling for all menu items at the purpose of ordering, whether that be in a restaurant, on the Drive Thru or when ordering online.”