McCain USA Retail FAQ

FAQ

Gluten
Are there McCain products which contain no added gluten ingredients?
Yes, there are list of products on our Gluten Info page which you can reference for more details.
Allergens
I see that you have a clear allergen statement on your products. I have Celiac Disease and have seen some of your products read ''gluten free''. I was wondering if you could tell me the source of the caramel coloring in your products?
McCain Foods USA, Inc. has policies and procedures in place to significantly reduce the likelihood of cross-contact of food allergens in our frozen potato products. Every production facility incorporates the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) program, in addition to Corporate Quality Assurance Procedures, to minimize the occurrence of food-sensitive reactions to our finished product. At this time, the source of our caramel coloring is corn.
I am allergic to dairy,eggs and nuts. I would like to know if your McCain Smiles® Fun Shaped Potatoes contain any dairy,egg or nut in the product?
At this time, McCain Smiles® Fun Shaped Potatoes do not contain any ingredients sourced from dairy or eggs. The McCain Smiles® Fun Shaped Potatoes are not produced on shared equipment with any products containing ingredients sourced from dairy or eggs. Also our McCain brand retail potato products do not contain peanut ingredients. Further McCain does not use or store peanut ingredients in any of our factories.
Do the new McCain Smiles® fun shaped potatoes have dairy, gluten, egg, or soy in them?
This product contains no ingredients sourced from dairy, gluten (wheat, oats, barley, rye, malt), egg, or soy.
Are McCain Gluten-Free Products produced on the same lines as products that contain gluten?
McCain has policies and procedures in place to significantly reduce the likelihood of cross-contact of food allergens in our frozen potato products. Every production facility incorporates the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) program, in addition to Corporate Quality Assurance Procedures, to minimize the occurrence of food-sensitive reactions to our finished products. McCain also follows new legislation for food allergen labeling requirements.McCain Foods USA, Inc., is currently compliant with FDA allergen labeling regulation. Potential allergens are clearly identified within ingredient statements in consumer friendly wording.
Are McCain Smiles® Fun Shaped Potatoes Gluten Free?
At this time, processing methods for the McCain retail frozen potato product McCain Smiles® Fun Shaped Potatoes do not include flours or seasoning blends. The modified food starch comes from potato.
McCain Product Information
What kind of potatoes does McCain Foods USA use to make French Fries?
We have four potato manufacturing plants in the United States. At this time, our McCain Branded french fries are made from the following varieties of potatoes: Shepody, Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank. The Russet Burbank variety is especially known for its ability to be stored for long periods of time; ten to eleven months of storage depending on the potato growing region.
How can I find a product in my state?
In each section of our site there is a store locator. Click on the store locator to find out if our products are carried in your state.
Can McCain products be prepared in the microwave?
If this is your preference, yes, though we do not recommend our fries be cooked in the microwave, as color and texture are oftentimes negatively affected.
Who can be contacted to report comments or quality concerns?
For better service, we have two specialized people to best assist you. The representative for potato products can be reached weekdays from 8-4 PT toll-free: 1-877-804-6198. Pizza and appetizer products’ rep is available weekdays from 8-4 CT toll-free: 1-866-GO-SNACKS.
What type of potatoes are used in your McCain French Fry products? Are they white potatoes, Russetts, etc., or a combination?
At this time, our McCain Branded French Fries are made from the following varieties of potatoes: Shepody, Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank. These are all white potatoes.
McCain Products in the Store
Where can McCain products be purchased?
We offer a store locator on this site to help you find our products. You can also check your local store and if they are not available for sale there, speak with applicable management to suggest they order our product for your future shopping needs.
When was the purchased product made, and when does it expire?
Manufacturing dates are inkjet stamped on the back of the bag near the middle seam. The first character identifies which factory processed the item, and the following digits are the date the product was produced (one-digit year/two-digit month/two-digit day). When our product is appropriately stored in the freezer, it is good for eighteen months from the date it was made.
Is it normal for product bags to have small rips and tears?
Bags have random holes less than a ½” in length, commonly referred to as air slits. The purpose for these air slits is to allow air to escape after the product has been bagged in order for it to be cased and shipped to you, our valued customer.
McCain: The Company
Does McCain have a mailing list?
Not at this time. We encourage feedback from our consumers and send redeemable product coupons in response to these valued opinions; tracked yearly, limit two coupons per household.
Does McCain Foods USA, Inc., sponsor fundraising events?
Yes, in communities where processing sites are located.
Where can I go to find out more about McCain The Company?
Our International Corporate McCain website is a great source of all McCain information. Go to www.mccain.com.
How can I apply for a job with McCain Foods USA?
We have a careers section in our Corporate Section of our McCain Foods USA website. Go to www.mccainusa.com. Click on Corporate and then click on careers.
Smiles Song
What is the name of the song in the Smiles Commercial?
The instrumental in our Smiles commercial "Dancing", is a rendition of an old Louis Armstrong song "When You're Smiling".
Who is the singer of the song "When You're Smiling" in the McCain Smiles commercial?
The singer's name is Neil Donell. He invites those interested to email him at ndonell@sympatico.ca.
Where can I buy a cd of the song "When You're Smiling"?
The singer is Neil Donell. Mr. Donell has a website where you can purchase his cd.
www.neildonell.com
Note: McCain only supplies this information as a help to it's consumers. We in no way endorse or benefit from any sales of this cd.
100% Canola Oil
Why did McCain switch to processing with non-hydrogenated oil for its French fries?
The reasons behind this move are twofold: First, it is in response to the increased understanding that trans fats in foods have a potentially negative impact on health. Second, it is an opportunity to provide the health conscious consumer with another choice.
What does Non-Hydrogenated Oil Mean?
Oils that are liquid at room temperature, and have not been hydrogenated, are considered non-hydrogenated. This is not commonly known to consumers. We are currently revising our packaging to reflect the ingredient statement to read, POTATOES, CANOLA OIL, ... , which will be less confusing to the consumer. Please be aware when you see the new package, that these are the same great products, with the same nutritional contributions to a healthy diet.
What is hydrogenation?
Hydrogenation is the process by which hydrogen atoms are added to unsaturated sites on fatty acids, thereby, eliminating double bonds.
Trans Fats
What are trans fats?
Trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, are unsaturated fats whose chemical structure has been slightly altered through hydrogenation, which causes them to act more like saturated fats. Trans fats are commonly found in margarine and baked goods.
Are trans fats necessary for a nutritious, well-balanced diet?
Trans fats are not essential fatty acids and the body does not require them to function properly.
McCain Roasters®
Where can I find McCain Roasters®?
Go to the What's For Dinner Section of the website. Click on Products. Go to the bottom of the list and you will find McCain Roasters®!
Is it possible to prepare the McCain Roasters® in the oven along side another dish?
It is possible to prepare the McCain Roasters® in the oven along side another dish. Please keep in mind, that oven temperatures may vary, and that both items may take a few minutes longer to cook, just because there is more than one item in the oven at a time. This is the preparation recommended for an oven temperature of 350°F: STANDARD OVEN: PREHEAT OVEN TO 350°F. SPREAD FROZEN ROASTERS™ IN A SINGLE LAYER ON A DARK, NON-STICK BAKING SHEET OR SHALLOW BAKING PAN. BAKE FOR 15 MINUTES. FLIP ROASTERS™ OVER AND CONTINUE BAKING AN ADDITIONAL 15 TO 20 MINUTES. SERVE IMMEDIATELY.
Kosher Certification
Are McCain fries kosher?
If a McCain product is Kosher the symbol will appear on the nutritional sheet on this website. Go to our Premium Section. Our three McCain Roasters® Products are all Orthodox Union Certified. For other questions please call telephone weekdays from 8-4 PT 1-877-804-6198