McDonald's USA no longer has artificial ingredients in its iconic burgers

McDonald's USA has said that its classic burgers, such as the Big Mac and the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, no longer have artificial preservatives, artificial flavors or added colors from artificial sources.

The American fast-food giant stated that only the pickle slices still contain an artificial preservative, adding that "customers are able to skip it if they prefer." The company further said that the changes are going into effect in all 14,000 US restaurants.

Chris Kempczinski, the company's USA President, said, "From switching to 100 percent fresh beef in our quarter-pound burgers, cooked right when ordered, to removing artificial preservatives in our Chicken McNuggets, and committing to cage-free eggs by 2025, we have made significant strides in evolving the quality of our food."

Presently, almost two-thirds of McDonald's burgers and sandwiches are free of artificial products.

The company's move comes in response to a growing trend of health-consciousness in the United States. It is also a way to meet competition from trendy burgers.