McDonald's ignites controversy after revealing latest menu item

With thousands of locations in more than 100 countries, McDonald’s franchise is one of the most successful in the world. A big reason for its success can be attributed to the ways in which McDonald’s menu has adapted to local taste and food preferences. While some of these local menu items have been a hit, there are others which have been a total miss.

An international McDonald’s menu item is once again at the centre of news coverage. McDonald’s Australia’s latest item menu item Potato Scallops with Chicken Salt, has ignited what has been deemed as ‘a culture war.’

McDonald’s new menu item

The new limited item Potato Scallops with Chicken Salt has been described by McDonald’s as

Fluffy potato in a crunchy tempura coating. Served with classic chicken salt seasoning.

As reported by The New Daily, the company further called this dish ‘a true Aussie icon.’ On the surface there is nothing controversial about it but the name of the items has roused the ire of Aussies . Many Australians have pointed out that what McDonald’s called potato scallops is actually called a potato cake.

In fact, turns out, the same item is called differently in different parts of Australia. It is even called potato fritter in some parts. This lack on consensus has led to the current controversy.

Potato scallop v potato cake debate

Whatever part of Australia one might live it, one thing is for sure: McDonald’s Australia has definitely added fuel to the fire when it comes to the potato scallop versus potato cake debate.

People on both sides of the fence have come out in droves on the internet to participate in this war of words, much like in case of other cultural debates on nomenclature such as parma versus parmi or jaffle versus toastie.

One Twitter post summed up the debate as,

McDonald's are coming out with a potato scallop from tomorrow, so Victorians are upset it's not called a potato cake & South Australia says it should be a potato fritter. I say @maccas should just call it a McPotato

Sources used:

The New Daily: ‘McDonald’s releases potato scallops, igniting age-old debate’