Wood pulp ingredient found in fast food meals



less Have you had enough wood in your diet? Fast-food chains, like McDonald's and Burger King, feature the ingredient cellulose or "wood pulp" in their food items. See some of the other weird ingredients that you may have possibly eaten or drank. Have you had enough wood in your diet? Fast-food chains, like McDonald's and Burger King, feature the ingredient cellulose or "wood pulp" in their food items. See some of the other weird ingredients that you ... more Photo: MARCELO HERNANDEZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS Photo: MARCELO HERNANDEZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Wood pulp ingredient found in fast food meals 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

If your parents were complaining about the lack of veggies in your diet, just let them know that you had plenty of "tree" at McDonald's.

Microcrystalline cellulose or wood pulp is a widespread ingredient in the food items of several fast-food companies, including buns, cheeses and sauces, Quartz reports. The ingredient is largely filler and lowers the production costs for foods like ice cream and chicken.

McDonald's is currently the leading fast-food company to use this ingredient, often called powdered cellulose or cellulose gum. Close behind are Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell and Carl's Jr.

Cellulose has no nutritional value and is passed through the digestive system with no issues, but some studies think it could have a negative effect on cholesterol. For the moment, the FDA has seen fit to allow companies to use the ingredient in "moderate" doses.

The gallery above has a list of food items that use "wood pulp" as an ingredient.