What kind of worm was used as a filler in McDonald's hamburgers back in the 80's?

Question

i thought i read somewhere it was earth worms,my freind said meal worms......im wondering wich one.?

Answer 1

Ah I think that is baloney!

Answer 2

I never heard that! :( eww!

Answer 3

They weren't using worms as a filler.

The rumor started because, at that time, McDonald's used hamburger that was single ground.  Food stores double grind the meat because it blends the fat in with the lean which produces a more appetizing appearance.  

As the name inplies, double grinding means you put the same meat through the grinder twice.

However, when you single grind meat, the fat comes out looking like a worm in the raw patty.

Ray Croc handled this perfectly in a press conference.  I don't remember the exact details but he held up a pound of ground beef in one hand and a pounds of worms in the other. Then he said something like, " A pound of ground beef costs a dollar.  A pound of worms costs two dollars.  We can't afford to put worms in our ground beef because they cost too much."

Answer 4

i read on snopes.com that that was made up?

Answer 5

None, just an urban legend and probably mass hysteria back in the 80s.

It would be expensive to have worms in the patties, as it would be cheaper to just buy the beef. There may be other fillers to enhance the beef (venison, etc) but no worms.

Answer 6

for a time in the 80's Mcd used a sea weed product as a filler in the Mc Lean burger. they have never used worms in burgers.