What kind of fish is in McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich?

Created to cater to Catholics on meatless Fridays, the Filet-O-Fish from McDonald’s has garnered a dedicated following. Have you ever questioned what fish is inside this iconic sandwich? McDonald’s official website confirms that the Filet-O-Fish is made using Alaskan pollock, specifically wild-caught Alaskan pollock sourced from sustainable fisheries.

Nonetheless, the Filet-O-Fish’s fish component hasn’t always been pollock. When it debuted in 1962, it originally featured halibut. The sandwich later transitioned to New Zealand hoki fish, common among other chains such as Long John Silver’s, but McDonald’s reformulated the recipe due to the challenges of overfishing and dwindling fish populations.

A substantial range of changes have taken place for McDonald’s in 2024, including an initiative toward sustainable operations, which encompasses a 47.8% reduction in virgin fossil fuel-based plastics in Happy Meal toys, establishing beef sustainability objectives, and exclusively utilizing Marine Stewardship Council-certified sustainable fish. While sourcing sustainable fish can occasionally pose challenges, it is somewhat facilitated as large chains like McDonald’s procure their seafood from certified eco-friendly suppliers.

McDonald’s choice of Alaskan pollock stems from two crucial aspects: supply and sustainability. With over 14,000 locations in the U.S., the fast-food giant requires a substantial fish supply, and Alaskan pollock is a naturally fast-reproducing species with regulated populations. Its mild flavor also makes it versatile, compatible with various ingredients, appealing to a wide audience.

Previously a component of the Filet-O-Fish, New Zealand hoki was dropped when the government limited the catch quota in the 2000s due to declining numbers. Most fish sourced by McDonald’s come from fisheries that are independently certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, which narrows their options for seafood suppliers due to sustainability concerns.

These rationales are common among many fast-food chains in the U.S. opting for Alaskan pollock. If you’re in search of a non-pollock alternative, your best bet may be to create your own fried fish sandwich.

However, there’s no guarantee that the Filet-O-Fish will always feature Alaskan pollock. In 2022, Jason Cervone, McDonald’s Director of Sourcing, revealed at a meeting with Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers that the brand was facing increasing issues with sourcing this fish (as reported in IntraFish). Historically, the restaurant chain has shown flexibility in altering the Filet-O-Fish recipe in response to supply challenges.

Interestingly, McDonald’s around the globe tailor their fish sourcing to local prices, preferences, availability, and sustainability priorities. In Canada and Singapore, they use the same wild-caught Alaskan pollock in their Filet-O-Fish. In Australia, the sandwich consists of both pollock and hoki, while primarily hoki is used in New Zealand.

Not only do the sourcing locations differ, but the preparation varies as well. In Canada, Singapore, and Austria, McDonald’s offers a Double Filet-O-Fish with an additional serving of fish. In Europe, certain countries have opted for the McFish, which swaps out tartare sauce and cheese for ketchup. Chinese McDonald’s feature a double-layer deep-sea cod burger, whereas the fish filet burger in Indonesia utilizes sustainably farmed Tilapia. Additionally, Singapore’s menu boasts the Black Pepper Cheese Filet-O-Fish, distinguished by black pepper cheese sauce and lettuce.