McCain Review, Is McCain Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 6 graded products, McCain averages Poor (25/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
McCain
Quick Cook Straight Cut French Fried Potatoes
cardboard box with grease-resistant coating; frozen potato product
PFAS
Fluorochemical coatings on food-contact cardboard are a well-established PFAS vector.…
Acrylamide formation during frying
All deep-fried potato products, including McCain fries, generate acrylamide as a…
Sodium and trans fats from partial frying
McCain Quick Cook fries are pre-fried at the factory, adding sodium and potentially trans…
Coating degradation or flaking into food during freezing
Repeated thaw-freeze cycles or handling damage to the cardboard interior can compromise…
Skip or check McCain's packaging supplier statements; grease-resistant coating is a common PFAS vector.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
McCain
5 Minute Fries Shoestring Cut Potatoes 20 oz
Paperboard box with grease-resistant interior coating
PFAS
Fluorinated coatings on frozen food packaging are well-documented sources of PFAS…
Acrylamide formation from high-heat frying
Frozen french fries undergo industrial deep frying during processing, which can produce…
Oxidative degradation of cooking oil during storage
Pre-fried frozen fries contain residual oil that can oxidize over time, especially if…
Skip frozen fries in traditional grease-resistant packaging; risk comes from box lining, not product.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
McCain
Flavorlast Thick Potato Fry
paperboard with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
Grease-resistant food packaging coatings frequently rely on PFAS or related…
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Paperboard coatings can degrade over time, especially if the bag is creased, punctured…
Migration of coating additives to food
Grease-resistant coatings may contain surfactants, catalysts, or processing aids beyond…
Skip or contact McCain for coating transparency; grease-resistant food packaging commonly uses PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
McCain
Classic Fries
paper/cardboard with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
Paper food packaging with grease-resistant finish typically contains PFAS compounds.…
Packaging coating degradation and leaching
Extended storage in warm conditions or exposure to acidic or high-fat foods may degrade…
Acrylamide from cooking (product, not packaging)
French fries are a known source of acrylamide, a chemical formed when starchy foods are…
Plastic layer or inner film components
Some McCain bags may include a thin plastic layer or film as part of the internal…
Skip until McCain discloses coating composition; grease-resistant food packaging commonly contains PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
McCain
Crinkle Fries 32 oz
paperboard bag with grease-resistant coating
PFAS
Paperboard bags for fatty foods typically require fluorinated coatings to repel oils…
Acrylamide from frying
All fried potatoes contain acrylamide, a byproduct of high-heat cooking. McCain fries are…
Bag integrity and freezer burn
If the paperboard bag is punctured or stored improperly, fries may develop freezer burn…
Pesticide residue
Conventional frozen fries may contain trace pesticide residues from potato cultivation.…
Skip or seek explicit grease-resistant coating disclosure; McCain does not publicly disclose PFAS status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
McCain
Golden Fry McCain Golden Fry 3/8" Straight Cut French Fries, 5 lbs, 6 ct
paper/cardboard packaging with grease-resistant coating (likely Teflon-family coating-based)
Acrylamide (cooking byproduct)
Potato-based fried foods naturally form acrylamide when cooked at high temperature.…
Skip if PFAS-concerned; standard frozen-food packaging likely treated but unverified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →