LAWSUIT FILED MONDAY AFTERNOON IN ORLANDO AGAINST McDONALD'S FOR FAILING TO DISCLOSE HARMFUL INGREDIENTS IN THEIR FRENCH FRIES

    /24-7PressRelease/ - WEST PALM BEACH, FL, April 06, 2006 - A mother and daughter from Orlando, Florida filed suit on Monday against McDonald's Corporation and a local franchise owner, claiming that the fast food company misled the public, when they represented their French fries to be "gluten free" and free of "any wheat".

Until February, McDonald's had described their French fries as safe for consumption by people with food allergies to wheat and/or dairy ingredients. In fact, on its Web site, McDonald's had listed the fries on a page of "Gluten Free Menu Items" and stated that the fries were "gluten free" and free of "any wheat". The fries were removed from the list on February 8, 2006 and the company quietly added "derivatives of milk and wheat" to the ingredient list for their French fries.

McDonald's recently issued a statement conceding that wheat and dairy ingredients are used in the "natural flavoring" added to their frying oil. After testing the fries, McDonald's has admitted that "Because partially broken down milk or wheat proteins may be present, and they also may be clinically significant for an individual with a milk or wheat allergy, these tests are not definitive ".

McDonald's added that:

"for people with a milk or wheat allergy, this new and
important information should be discussed with a
health care provider.


Copies of the lawsuit can be obtained by calling the offices of attorney Brian W. Smith of the firm of Smith and Vanture, LLP at (800) 443-4529.

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ANY CONTACT WITH THE PLAINTIFFS SHOULD BE MADE THROUGH THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE PLAINTIFFS DIRECTLY.

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