Big Mac That Doesn't Rot Even After a Year... McDonald's Claims "Different Environment" Amid Consumer Mockery

Numerous Cases of Food Not Spoiling for Years Spark Interest
McDonald's, "Dry Environment Inhibits Mold Growth"

An English herbalist has sparked attention by revealing a McDonald's hamburger 'Big Mac' that remains intact even after one year of purchase.

A British herbalist's video revealing that a Big Mac did not rot for over a year has become a hot topic.
[Image source: TikTok capture]

On the 24th (local time), foreign media including the New York Post reported, "A video posted last February by British herbalist Naa Azeli Chopanie has recently become a hot topic." The video has been viewed over 3 million times within two months of its release. Chopanie purchased McDonald's signature Big Mac burger and French fries on February 2nd last year. He placed the food on a plate and conducted an experiment observing how it changed over time.

In the video, Chopanie dismantled the Big Mac that had been stored for one year and three weeks to check its condition. The Big Mac appeared to have lost a bit of moisture, but aside from that, it was in a state similar to when it was purchased. Despite being stored for over a year, there were no signs of mold or decay. Chopanie lifted the cabbage attached to the patty and said, "It is still green. It is not completely dried out and still has some moisture." He questioned, "How is this possible? Lettuce without roots, not watered, and not exposed to sunlight, how can it maintain its color?" He also expressed surprise, saying, "Even growing vegetables turn brown and dry out if not properly cared for."

This is not the first time McDonald's hamburgers have attracted attention for not decaying. In 2022, an American man shared photos claiming, "I bought a Big Mac five years ago and it remains undecayed." That same year, an Australian man posted photos on social media of a hamburger that did not spoil for three months. In 2019, an Icelander revealed McDonald's hamburgers and French fries that had been stored since 2009. The cheeseburger and fries, which did not decay for over 10 years, were treated as 'historical artifacts' in Iceland. This hamburger is exhibited at the National Museum of Iceland and remains undecayed on display.

As several cases of 'non-decaying Big Macs' have emerged, netizens commented, "It does not decay because of the large amount of preservatives added," and "Even bacteria cannot eat the hamburger." However, McDonald's stated in 2020, "A dry environment that inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria extends the hamburger's lifespan," denying that preservatives are the cause. McDonald's emphasized, "If you leave homemade food in the same condition (left to dehydrate), you would see similar results," and "The burger you are seeing is likely dried out. It is definitely not in the same condition as the day it was purchased."